Beinn Bheoil

Beinn Bheòil, at 1,019 metres, is a striking, long, thin mountain squeezed between two lochs at the remote heart of the Ben Alder Forest, almost always climbed together with its far more famous neighbour, Ben Alder, whose massive form dominates the view across Loch a' Bhealaich Bheithe.

The approach follows the same long walk-in as Ben Alder — around 15 kilometres from Dalwhinnie via Loch Ericht and Loch Pattack to the site of the former Culra bothy, which is closed due to asbestos and requires camping nearby for anyone staying overnight. From Ben Alder's summit plateau, the route to Beinn Bheòil continues around the plateau edge — careful navigation is needed here in mist, passing Lochan a' Garbh Choire with fine views over the Garbh Choire — before a steep descent down open slopes to the bealach separating the two mountains. From here a narrow ridge leads up over a rocky knoll to Beinn Bheòil's summit cairn, with superb views back across to Ben Alder and along the full length of Loch Ericht, with distant Dalwhinnie occasionally visible.

The descent continues along the ridge for a further 750 metres before bearing left down the slope past the screes, aiming west-north-west across the moor to rejoin the stalkers' path back to the bridge and Culra.

The round trip taking in both Munros from Culra is around seven hours; including the full walk-in and out from Dalwhinnie, most parties treat this as a two-day expedition, camping overnight near the former bothy.

Some pathless ground is encountered on both the approach and descent, and the steep, open slope down from Ben Alder to the bealach can be genuinely difficult to navigate accurately in poor visibility — this remains committing, remote terrain even once the technical ground of Ben Alder itself is behind you.

There is no vehicle or public transport access beyond Dalwhinnie, itself served by rail and bus; the walk-in to Culra alone is a serious undertaking.