Blà Bheinn

Blà Bheinn, at 928 metres — often anglicised as "Blaven" — is the only Munro on Skye standing apart from the main Cuillin Ridge, a great isolated citadel of rock towering above Loch Slapin with fabulous views and all the character of its more famous neighbours, though its standard ascent is comparatively straightforward by Cuillin standards.

The route starts from a John Muir Trust car park off the B8083 near Loch Slapin, reached via the single-track Elgol road from Broadford. Crossing a bridge over the Allt na Dùnaiche, an excellent constructed path heads up the far side of the stream towards Coire Uaigneich. The path zigzags steeply up grassy slopes — wet and slippery after rain — before grass gives way to rock and scree, with a loose, gravelly section that can feel like two steps up and one back. As height is gained, the imposing "Great Prow," a dramatic buttress famed among rock climbers, looms into view around 700 metres, with a short col offering views into Coire Dubh. The route swings left, funnelling into a narrowing gully that requires a short, easy scramble to ascend the rocks at the top (or via rocks on the left, climbed from lower down) before the final rocky slope and trig point summit.

Blà Bheinn is the only Munro on Skye not part of the Cuillin Ridge proper, and the view reflects this isolated position: huge sweeps of sea, mountains, and islands in every direction, taking in most of the island, the whole of Raasay, and miles of the western seaboard. The Cuillin look fabulous to the north, but the finest feature may be the aerial view down Glen Sligachan, framed by Sgùrr nan Gillean on one side and Marsco on the other.

A rewarding extension continues to the mountain's south top via a narrowing arête and a short, moderately difficult Grade 2 scramble down to the connecting col — tricky and exposed, though easier alternatives skirt slightly left. From the south top, a descent via the south-east flank leads to a bealach at around 590 metres, from where a scree run re-enters Coire Uaigneich to rejoin the main path.

The out-and-back round trip from the Loch Slapin car park is typically four and a half to six hours, or longer if the south top extension is included.

Though more accessible than the Black Cuillin proper, Blà Bheinn remains a serious mountain demanding sound judgement — the summit scramble, loose scree sections, and the South Top extension all require care, and full mountain equipment and preparation for rapidly changing weather are essential given the isolated, exposed position of this magnificent peak.

Parking at the Loch Slapin car park is free; a bus service runs from Broadford.