This was a quick Solo trip north. When I had planned this I had hoped for some late season snow, but as the date grew closer, it was clear that it would be spring weather.

I arrived in Glasgow on the overnight train from London and quickly transferred to a hire car, and was soon heading north on the A82 under overcast skies. As I drove up to the car park, the cloud began to lift and break allowing sunshine through, the car park was particularly busy but there was just enough space left.

With Rucksack packed and new boots on I was ready to go! I walked over the road to the start and followed a good path into an area of nature trails. The area had been fenced off and was full of small trees and shrubs, I imagined that the whole hillside would have looked like this without the sheep.

The path gently meandered uphill and the views around were improving with every moment as the sunshine now flooded through. I could see the upper slopes of Beinn Ghlas, and soon reached the upper fence of the enclosed area. I passed a few groups, it seems it was going to be a popular walk for today. Once through the fence, the path became a little steeper and soon split, with one path traversing to a col to the north of Beinn Ghlas, with the other ascending the steep slopes of the mountain.

The steep path was my choice and the ascent proper began with improving views. The slope became a broad ridge and I could see groups spread out single file on the upper ridge, they looked very small, indicating that it was still some way to go to the top. The wind now became stronger and there was still a bite, despite the warm sun. The path was more rocky and passed over some snow patches, this led to the upper ridge and I had arrived at the summit of Beinn Ghlas. The summit had a big drop on the north side and still had snow lingering on the edge of the Corrie, the weather was now very clear but the wind was cold and the next mountain, Ben Lawers, dominated the view ahead.

I Descended down to the col and began a steep ascent of Ben Lawers, first through broken rock and then onto a steep slope. There were now only a few groups of people about and I began to think that if this was further south it would be teeming with people. Arriving at the top, I was alone once more and there were good views off the tenth highest mountain in Scotland. A small cloud then covered the sun and the temperature dropped, a reminder that it was still early in the year.

I lingered on the summit for photographs and a quick bite to eat, and then returned to the col and onto the descent path, bypassing Beinn Ghlas. I soon arrived at a col between Beinn Ghlas and Meall Corranich and I was thinking of returning to the car but, as there was still a lot of time and daylight left, I decided to nip off left up to Meall Corranich.

The ascent was very steep but short and I arrived on the summit with not a sole in sight, quite a contrast from earlier in the day. There was now cloud moving in from the north and I had to make the decision whether to go back the way I came, or descend the ridge. The ridge was the choice I made and the lovely walk down marred only by the views disappearing in a shower, which soon passed. Off the ridge and into Coire Odhar, where the sunshine had now returned, I had to find a stile back into the fenced off woodland I had passed through at the beginning of the day. With the stile negotiated it was time for the final kilometre (and a bit) back to the car. Back at the car, it was time to go and find some tea and cake, and check the weather for tomorrow’s walk over at Arrochar.