Gars-BHEINN TO SGURR DUBH AN DA bHEINN
(©)StefanBramwell
As many others have said of the southern end of the Cuillin Ridge, were it to be found anywhere else, it would be among the most sought after traverses in Scotland. Its fate is to be almost entirely overshadowed by what lies beyond. But for those willing to seek out the lines less travelled, there is no shortage of those quintessential qualities for which the main ridge is famed, and it remains one of the great mountain days to be had anywhere, in Scotland or beyond.
Taking the coastal path from Glenbrittle we passed beneath the summit of Gars-Bheinn, approaching via the upper half of the remarkable and distinctive southeast arete. The initial climb is unrelentingly steep but ends abruptly and with great drama as the scene opens beyond, the arete soaring toward a conical summit.
What follows has been described a thousand times though few have properly captured the essence of this remarkable place which is at once alpine and highland in nature, and yet remains unique, distinct from any range in either the Alps or Scotland.
It would be possible to reach all summits between Gars-Bheinn and Sgurr Dubh an Da Bheinn without recourse to anything more than Grade 1 scrambling, but for many, the lure of rough gabbro and wonderfully textured peridotite will prove too much to resist. And doing so would be to miss all that is best about these remarkable mountains.
