Beinn Dubh,
Away from the big mountains of the Southern Highlands, the Luss Hills offer fabulous walking, and far-reaching views.
South Highlands
Sitting near the craggy Arrochar Alps, overlooked by Ben Lomond, and bounded by Glen Fruin in the south and Glen Douglas to the north, the often underrated Luss Hills reach their high point of 713m on Beinn Chaorach. Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill are two of the most popular Luss Hills and both rise above Loch Lomond’s western shore, combining to make a wonderful route. When up high the rugged topography and deep v-shaped passes wouldn’t look out of place in The Lakes, and the views across both the Southern Highlands and the Lowlands are exceptional.
A good path climbs steeply from Luss village onto Beinn Dubh before rougher ground rises above Coire na h-Eanachan and the highest point of the route. Once across Mid Hill a steep path drops into Glen Luss, with a quiet road leading back into Luss.
There is also a keen sense of history to these hills. Clan Colquhoun has held lands around Luss since the 1300s. The most infamous episode in the clan’s history happened in 1603 when they met neighbouring Clan MacGregor in Glen Fruin where a bloody battle left the Colquhouns with 140 of their clan dead. KEITH FERGUS
1
NS359933 Walk to the south-western corner of the car park, then turn left at the post office onto the main Luss Road. Take the next road on the right, signposted for Glen Luss, then, after only a few metres, bear left, opposite Luss Primary School, and climb steps onto a bridge that crosses the A82.
2
NS357930 At its end follow a narrow road past a house, then bear right through a gate onto a path. Immediately turn right, cross a stile from where another path rises north across a field, then through a pocket of oak woodland. Beyond a gate the path climbs steeply north-west across open hillside, eventually reaching the 250m contour line. Here the gradient eases for a short spell – a good point to take a breather and revel in a fabulous view across Ben Lomond.
3
NS354938 A section of flatter boggy ground proceeds north-west, but it improves underfoot once it begins to climb again. A steep ascent now heads up the prominent south-eastern shoulder of Beinn Dubh. Eventually the path picks up a line of fence posts, just below Creag an t-Seilich. It is worth looking back for a wonderful view across Loch Lomond (its many islands mapped out below) to the River Clyde. On a clear day, Tinto Hill, some 50 miles to the south-east, is also visible. With the fence to the left keep along the path, enjoying an amazing view down into Glen Luss and the farms of Glenmollochan and Edentaggart. Soon a stile takes you across the fence, and a gradual climb, with the fence now on the right, leads towards the top.
A couple of false summits make it frustrating for tired legs but the 642m summit of Beinn Dubh is soon gained. Just beyond the cairn the full panorama is complete, with a breathtaking view of the Arrochar Alps and big Munros such as Beinn Chabhair and An Caisteal above Crianlarich.
4
NS336954 With much of the hard work now done the scenery can really be enjoyed, although it is only an intermittent path that continues north-west across a flatter, boggier plateau. Initially the fence posts provide a handrail but these soon peel away right. Now the terrain is a little rougher and featureless, and can be problematic in poor visibility. The path becomes more evident as a short climb west gains a cairn above Coire Carlaig, at 657m the highest point of the route. Again the Arrochar Alps dominate, while steep slopes drop north down into Glen Douglas.
5
NS322963 Continue easily south-west then south-east over the bump of Mid Hill, after which a steeper drop, along a good path, descends Mid Hill’s south-eastern ridge above Glen Striddle – marvellous views extend along Glen Luss to Loch Lomond. Once over a stile at a fence gradual slopes soon pass through a gate in a wall with a rough track then descending into Glen Luss. Once through a final gate, turn left onto the narrow Glen Luss Road, just north of Glenmollochan Farm.
6
NS329943 Continue to a junction, keep left from where the road continues, with sporadic views of Loch Lomond. Keep an eye out for traffic as the road heads south-east, high above Glen Luss and underneath the steep slopes of Beinn Dubh.
7
NS355932 After 2.75km – just before a cattle grid on the outskirts of Luss – bear left onto a path and follow this back to the gate at the very base of Beinn Dubh. Once through, retrace steps across the A82 bridge into Luss.