I had waited three weeks to get back on to the hill and was jealous of all the fantastic reports, which had been uploaded on to WH. Patience is a virtue though and I struck it lucky. I had never really considered Beinn a Bhuiridh but I wanted a good walk, which would allow for spectacular vistas and some North facing ridges. The SMC Corbett book seemed to suggest that a circular route was possible heading along the Allt Coire Ghlais up to the Lairig Torran and from there a return over the Monadh Driseig. Yet I had not found a report of any kind suggesting this. Upon arrival at the lay-by, I was greeted with spectacular views over the Ben Lui and beyond. Today would be a good day. I followed the old military round and into the coire and as I did so, the N facing cliffs of Beinn a Bhuiridh would come into view - tasty but this was merely the horses doovers.Rather than adhere to the Allt, I decided to move on the Eastern ridge coming down from Stob Garbh and this was to be a good move as it afforded better views all round. As I got higher, I relaxed into the walk and appreciated the solitude - I hadn't been on my own on a hill for quite some time and the loner in me revelled in the conditions. Then I got a grisly fleg - I happened upon a ex ovine which for all the world looked like it had been inverted and its skull and spine were distant from its wooly corpse - this was at about 500m - was there some kind of Predator-esque monster in the hills - I had no intention of taking this back to my wife and thankfully, she agreed.Rather than head up to Stob Garbh itself, I traversed over the Lairg Torran and the views across to Ben Cruachan and its satellite peaks blew my away, as did the wind. Again, these would get better as I ascended this fantastic hill.I had to find a path up the pretty steep face of Beinn a Bhuiridh and this was not easy - however, it's slope obviated concentration at all times and when i did finally plateau, I could relax and enjoy the next half hour. I ambled over to the summit, had a flask of tea and lunch and sat and enjoyed the sun and silence - this was bliss.After sitting for quite some time, I began the walk back along the Monadh Driseig, which was most enjoyable. Stopping to look back and around every so often, I would put this walk in my top 10. I snapped a few more shots, descended and thanked the mountain gods for another cracking day in the hill.
