Drive along the Ullapool road until you come to the eastern end of Loch Lurgainn where there may be boats hauled up on a little beach. There is a little amount of parking space here. About a hundred yards beyond the head of the Loch, there is a faint path down towards the burn, the Allt na Coise Gille. Cross the water by the stepping-stones and scramble up the low beyond in order to gain height. Now head as nearly due west as you can across grassy hummocks and water meadows. Your objective is the craggy eastern end of Beinn an Eoin, the Cioch, (or Pap).

Cross the Alt Claonaidh, which flows down to the reedy Feur Loch, and strike steeply uphill towards the Cioch ridge but aiming for the lowest point rather than for the Cioch itself. The final ascent is steep but not difficult provided you avoid the crags. On the ridge turn, east towards the Cioch (1248 feet) from which there are magnificent views across to Cul Baeg and Stac Pollaidh with Cul Mor behind.

Now follow the ridge westwards to its highest point (2027 feet) and on to its dramatic termination at Sgorr Deas (South Peak). Lochan Dearg lies at the foot of the crags, and beyond are the chains of lochs leading to the sea. However, the most exciting view is to the south across Lochan Tuath to Ben More Coigach and its satellites, the wedge of Sgurr an Fhidleir to the right and Speicein Coinnich to the left.

Do not try to descend the mountain on the western side where all is crag, but head east towards the lochan, which lies in the col between Sgorr Deas and Sgorr Tuath, the northern peak of Beinn an Eoin. The way lies along the full length of Coire Beinn an Eoin, and the going is relatively rough. Keep on the southern side of the burn and bear right around the foot of the Cioch to rejoin your outward route.

DISTANCE: 8 miles

GOING: Very rough, wet in parts, and to be undertaken only in good weather.

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