Beinn Fhionnlaidh

Beinn Fhionnlaidh, at 959 metres, is a straightforward but genuinely hard-to-reach Munro forming a long west-east ridge between Glen Etive and Glen Creran, offering unfamiliar views of Glencoe and Glen Etive along with sweeping outlooks to the sea. It should not be confused with the other Beinn Fhionnlaidh near Càrn Eige in the north-west Highlands.

The most convenient approach starts from the road end in Glen Creran, following signs for Glen Etive and Glenure Lodge past a house and over the River Creran. Beyond a cattle grid, the route forks left past a cottage before a smaller track climbs beyond the trees; a signpost indicates the start of the main ridge ascent, a definite but boggy path climbing over rough, sometimes steep ground with improving views down the glen and out to sea, and good views across to the steep flanks of Beinn Sgulaird. A short, level section with a couple of lochans precedes the final approach, which crosses a slightly confusing area of smaller tops before the true summit.

An alternative, shorter approach from Glen Etive starts at Invercharnan, following forest tracks above the Allt nan Gaoirean before a path climbs towards Meall nan Gobhar or the bealach to its north, and a rising traverse reaches the ridge just east of the summit — this crosses the Allt nan Gaoirean, easy in dry weather but potentially impassable in spate.

The round trip from Glen Creran or Glen Etive is a substantial day; the truly ambitious sometimes combine Beinn Fhionnlaidh with Sgòr na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Sgulaird in an epic multi-Munro expedition, occasionally over two days.

This is remote terrain with boggy, sometimes confusing ground near the summit and a potentially hazardous river crossing on the Glen Etive approach — full navigation skills are essential regardless of the route chosen.

Parking at the Glen Creran road end is free; there is no public transport to either starting point.