The Eastern Mamores (Mamore Forest)
(Binnein Mor-3707ft, Munro No. 27 & Na Gruagaichean-3465ft, Munro No 74)

This was the final walking day of our Scottish visit and could not have wished for better weather.  Blue sky, little cloud with no wind ..... superb for views, but probably a little hot during the climbs. The walk planned provided an high level ridge walk above the deep corries separating the mountains.

I started to get a little excited as we drove alongside Loch Leven to Kinlochleven.  The reason being was the anticipation of being high on the Eastern Mamores on a sunny day.  Although there were some clouds behind Kinlcohleven, they were low in the hills and starting to thin.
(photo:  a quick stop for a photo of the Eastern Mamores behind Kinlochleven)

The walk started from the same car park used for the Blackwater Reservoir walk.  The path started up through the wooded glen below and left of Meall an Doire Dharaich.  The initial path through the wood was a little steep until reaching An Cumhann where it became level.
(photo: view west along Loch Leven)

The landrover track from Mamore Lodge to Loch Eilde Mor was crossed and the ascent to the steep southern base of Sgor Eilde Beag.
(photo: southern ridge of Na Gruagaichean, left, with Sgor Eilde Beag in the distance)

Once at the base of  Sgor Eilde Beag the path zigzaged up the steep side to reach the barren peak.  From there the path followed the edge of the steep eastern corrie, climbing to the start of the ridge leading out to Binnein Mor.
(photo left:  mountains to the south)
(photo right:  Binnien Mor from  Sgor Eilde Beag)

It didn't take long before we were at the subsiduary southern top of Binnein Mor .... where we noticed another walker returning from the Munro ... the first person seen in 3 hours!
(photo left:  Sgor Eilde Beag and distant Blackwater Reservoir)
(photo right:  Ridge to Bennien Mor)

A short walk along the ridge brought us to the top of Binnein Mor.  After a couple of photos it was back to the southern end of the ridge .... and a welcome lunch.
(photo:  view south along the ridge from Binnein Mor with Na Gruagaichean right)

After lunch we headed south west, descending to the col below Na Gruagaichean, then it was a short steep climb to the summit .... and the second Munro of the day.
(photo right: rocky path to Na Gruagaichean)

The descend from Na Gruagaichean to the col and re-ascent to the North-west Top was on very steep, rocky terrain, with rather large drops into Coire an Easain to the north-east.  A slow pace was taken to ensure safe footing on the loose scree.
(photo left:  steep descent from Na Gruagaichean)
(photo right: steep ascent of the North-west top of Na Gruagaichean)

From the North-west top the path descended to the wide bealach between Coire Ghabhail (north) and Coire na Ba (south).  (with hindsight I could have 'bagged' Stob Coire a Chairn before we descended into Coire na Ba ..... still, it will save for another day.)
(photo:  Looking south-west to Kinlochleven)

An old stalkers path led down into Coire na Ba following the lower slopes of Na  Gruagaichean, eventually following the course of the Allt Coire na Ba.  
(photo:  Allt Coire a Bhod flowing down from Am Bodach)

After crossing the Mamore Lodge/Loch Eilde Mor landrover track, the path dropped down a broad spur to pass close to the Grey Mare's waterfall.  From the waterfall it was a short walk back to the car and, sadly, the end of our walking holiday in Scotland.
However, it wasn't all 'gloom' ..... as it was south to Keswick the following day for a week on the Cumbrian Fells, the second stage of our walking holiday.