Am Bodach

Am Bodach stands in the Mamores range, a group of Scottish mountains four kilometres north of Kinlochleven in the Highland council area. It is a Munro, a mountain over 914 metres high, and at 1032 metres it is the hundredth highest in this class. The mountain has three steep, rocky faces and a sharp peak, with the eastern face above Coire na Bà being especially craggy. Am Bodach translates from the Gaelic as ‘The Old Man’, a name often given to a hill overlooking a community. Settlers at the head of Loch Leven probably named it, as the mountain overlooks the loch. It should not be confused with another Am Bodach at the eastern end of the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glen Coe. The mountain is the most accessible in the Mamores and is often climbed as part of the highly rated ‘Ring of Steall’ ridge walk. This walk starts and finishes in Glen Nevis and includes the Munros of An Gearanach, Stob Coire a’ Chàirn and Sgurr a’ Mhàim. Walkers on the Ring of Steall arrive and leave Am Bodach along its north eastern or eastern ridges. The summit has three ridges radiating from it, connecting to other Munros and minor tops. Patches of snow can linger on the eastern face well into summer. A visitor to Am Bodach can start the ascent from Kinlochleven at sea level. Routes lead to the old military road to Fort William, built by General Caulfield, which the West Highland Way follows. The easiest route follows a stalker’s path up Coire na h-Eirghe to the main Mamores ridge, turning east to the summit. The view from the top takes in Ben Nevis to the north and Loch Leven and the mountains of Glen Coe to the south. Bidean nam Bian is especially fine from this vantage point.