Beinn nan Aighenan

Beinn nan Aighenan, at 960 metres, is the forgotten Munro of the Ben Starav range, hidden away from Glen Etive by an intervening ridge and genuinely tricky to reach — the standard options are either a very long approach up remote Glen Kinglas or a climb over the ridge from Glen Etive.

The Glen Etive route starts from a layby opposite the Coiletir track, following the same approach used for Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhòr up the Allt nan Meirleach glen, past the Eas Mheirlich (Robber's Waterfall) and through a succession of box canyons requiring some care. The path climbs steeply to the Bealach Lochain Ghaineamhaich, the low point between Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhòr, before descending around 150 metres down the far side via two small diagonal paths to reach the ridge leading to Beinn nan Aighenan itself — rocky and fairly steep in places but without great difficulty, with views opening to Loch Etive and Ben Cruachan on one side and Loch Tulla on the other, before the slope eases to the summit cairn.

The alternative, considerably longer approach starts from Forest Lodge in Glen Kinglas, following a track up the Abhainn Shira and over a low pass into upper Glen Kinglass, with the pathless, very steep eastern slopes of Beinn nan Aighenan then requiring a direct, unmarked ascent — a genuinely remote and solitary route favoured by walkers wanting to avoid retracing Ben Starav's ground.

From the summit, the return to Glen Etive requires climbing back 150 metres over the bealach — a small but real psychological blow on already tired legs — before descending the long glen back to the start; the round trip via Glen Etive is a full day, and the Glen Kinglas approach considerably longer still.

This Munro is often combined with Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhòr as an extension to an already long day, or tackled via the remote Glen Kinglas route for those seeking greater solitude — either way, this demands strong navigation given the largely pathless higher ground and a serious level of fitness given the distances involved.

Parking opposite the Coiletir track on Glen Etive road is free but limited; there is no public transport down Glen Etive.