Sgòrr Dhònuill (Beinn a' Bheithir)

Sgòrr Dhònuill, at 1,001 metres, is the second Munro of Beinn a' Bheithir — "Donald's Peak" — craggier and, by many accounts, an even finer viewpoint than its neighbour Sgòrr Dhearg, though it demands a little more effort to reach.

Reached from the bealach shared with Sgòrr Dhearg — marked by old iron fence posts at 757 metres — the ascent climbs a grassy slope that becomes increasingly rocky, with the final approach appearing as an intimidating cone but involving only a little simple scrambling, exposed at one point. The summit, surprisingly spacious after looking so compact on the ascent, offers a magnificent vista over outer Loch Linnhe towards Lismore and Mull, with Scarba and even the Paps of Jura visible to keen eyes further south, best seen by a short detour along the ridge.

The descent from the bealach heads north, boggy in places but avoiding crags by keeping close to a line of old fence posts; a longer, more strenuous alternative descends further west around the ridge past the Corbett and Graham tops of Sgòrr Dhònuill's western extensions, though such routes are exceptionally steep and demand greater experience and care.

Combined with Sgòrr Dhearg, the full round from Ballachulish or Gleann a' Chaolais is around 14.9 kilometres with roughly 1,469 metres of ascent, typically seven to seven and a half hours.

The exposed scrambling section near the summit and the narrow, airy crest demand a good head for heights, and in winter this final section takes on a genuine alpine, mountaineering feel — full equipment and experience are essential when snow is present.

Parking in Gleann a' Chaolais or at Ballachulish is free; the village is served by both local and Citylink buses.