Bienn Chabhair, or Hill of the Hog if my Gaelic translation is to be believed, is the most southerly of a group of Munros to be found between the northern tip of Loch Lomond and Crianlarich and the aim of the day’s walk.

The weather forecast was for a clear, settled day and we set of from the Drover’s Inn (‘Three Hundred Years of Scottish Hospitality’) at Inverarnan hopeful of an all too rare spring day of sunny weather and fine mountain views. We were not to be disappointed.

Heading due east, our first challenge was a steep eroded path allowing us to quickly gain height opening up the views west showing many peaks still retaining snow high up. Warmed up by both our exertions and the sun, warm outer clothing was replaced with sunscreen.

Having gained some height, we faced a gently rising walk through undulating ground on a path which would occasionally disappear in bog.

The great rocky bulk of Bienn Chabhair came clearly into view and after a few kilometres of increasing boggy terrain we headed up toward Meall nan Tarmachan, a small hill on Bienn Chabhair’s the left shoulder. Ascending a steeply eroded path, we were rewarded with views across to Ben Vorlich and the Arrochar Alps.

We reached a broad ridge consisting of a series of rocky knolls to be negotiated on the way to the top. Though most of the winter snow had gone there were still patches here and there and in the shade steep sections of the path could be icy and treacherous requiring careful footwork.

Eventually after a number of false summits we reached the small cairn which marked the summit where there was excellent visibility in every direction. Clockwise from the south we could see Ben Lomand, Loch Long, the Arrochar Alps, Ben Lui, the Orchy hills, Ben More and to the west the other Ben Vorlich on Loch Earn along with many other landmarks of the south west highlands. Thrilled at our luck at being there on such a still, cloudless day, we had our lunch and enjoyed the magnificence of the vista laid out before us. Tired but satisfied, we retraced our steps back to the Drover’s Inn where we enjoyed celebratory refreshments before making our weary way home.

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