Stob Coire an Laoigh

Stob Coire an Laoigh stands in the Grey Corries range, a group of mountains fifteen kilometres north-east of Kinlochleven in the Scottish Highlands. The peak reaches 1,116 metres and ranks thirty-seventh on the Munro table, sharing that height with Aonach Beag near Ben Alder. The Gaelic name means ‘peak of the corrie of the calf’, a reminder of the cattle once grazed on its lower slopes. The Grey Corries themselves form a long ridge of rugged summits, offering walkers a sense of remote, wild country. Kinlochleven lies at the head of Loch Leven, a village known for its slate quarries and scenic road. From the village, paths climb steadily through heather and rock towards the ridge. The mountain is worth the journey for those who enjoy long ridge walks and distant views. Its height places it among Scotland’s highest peaks, yet it remains less crowded than many better-known Munros. The Grey Corries ridge connects several summits, allowing walkers to extend their route or shorten it as conditions demand. The name recalls the old farming life of the glen, when calves were brought to summer pastures on the lower slopes. The mountain’s slopes are steep in places, rewarding climbers with a sense of achievement. On clear days the view stretches from Ben Nevis to the peaks of Glencoe. A visitor finds a narrow summit ridge leading to the trig point on the top. The final climb is rocky and requires care, especially in mist or wind. To the north the ridge continues to other Grey Corries peaks, while to the south the land falls away to Glen Nevis. The surrounding corries hold small lochans that catch the light on sunny afternoons. From the summit the eye travels over a sea of ridges and valleys, a landscape shaped by ice and time. The descent can follow the same path or branch off to explore quieter glens.