Beinn Luibhean, 21st March 2026

Summit view

I was still on holiday technically after a very nice week in the East Neuk of Fife, so I packed some kit on Friday evening after unpacking our suitcases and on Saturday morning dropped Isa at yoga again, and took the van on a nice little daytrip north. I'd done almost all the Corbetts around the Rest and Be Thankful, but Beinn Luibhean had been left because in my head it was a pretty quick up and down.

There was still a good load of snow above 600m, but I figured if it got bad, I'd just sack it off and come back again another time. I arrived at the Butterbridge car park about 1010, and was ready and on the way along the A83 at 1020. It was sunny in Glasgow, but had clouded over a bit by the time I got to the hills.

The A83 is a terrifying prospect but it was quiet enough for me to get over the wee bridge and up past the ruin. I hopped across the burn a couple of times, and then it became immediately steep on ascent. 

Beinn Ime

Beinn Luibhean

The climb was relentless, but the contours did ease on the wide ridge I'd picked to climb up. In total the ascent was 2.7km, with 871m ascent, over rough terrain. I did encounter snow, but what was left was very soft so I wasn't worried about slipping. It was a little breezy, enough to need a light jacket, but once I hit the summit at 1135, I was able to just sit in the sun and enjoy the view. I could still hear the motorbikes down on the road beneath me.

Akimbo

I could see someone coming up from the Glencroe side and wasn't feeling chatty, so I headed down to the Bealach a' Mhargaidh. I figured this bit would be quicker, but I was met with the occasional steep cliff that involved finding an alternative climbdown. I was at the bealach in about 12 minutes, then it was a long and boggy slog by the side of the burn and I popped back out onto the main road.

I'd only done 6.3km by this point and I wasn't in a rush. I had considered climbing Beinn Ime as well, but I only had about 100g of dried fruit on me and I didn't fancy a crash. So I headed to the van, restocked my food supplies, then decided to head along to Abyssinia, the bothy in Glen Kinglas.

I was a bit tired and sore from the ascent (I think I hurt my big toe in Fife), but I headed along anyway, it's a good track and not much climbing. About half an hour later, I saw the bothy. It looked quiet! Both times I've been here before there have been people about, so it was a good chance to have a snoop.

Abyssinia bothy

Bothy fire

The guest book was a riot! And I have to say, the place could do with a sweep. It does seem like a cosy wee place to spend the night despite the ghostly goings-on.

I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, so I just ran the last few kms back to the van. I stopped for a roll and soup on the way down the road at the Rest and Be Thankful and watched the early season tourists taking selfies with the view.

Beinn Luibhean (L) and Beinn an Lochain (R)

Beinn Luibhean

Run Distance: 13.53km (inc bothy visit)
Run Time: 3h 11m
Ascent: 812m

Corbetts Completed: 16