Beinn Odhar

Beinn Odhar is a mountain in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, near Tyndrum in Argyll and Bute. It stands four kilometres north of the village and marks the border between Argyll and Bute and Stirling. The hill reaches 901 metres, making it the 18th highest Corbett and just 13 metres short of Munro status. Its conical shape is a familiar sight from the A82 road and the West Highland Way. The name comes from the Gaelic for ‘dun-coloured mountain’, describing the brownish-grey heather and grass. Beinn Odhar is part of the ‘Auch Corbetts’, a group of five Corbetts that can be climbed in a single day from the hamlet of Auch. The mountain has steep slopes on all sides, with a long ridge leading south-east to the subsidiary top of Meall Buidhe. A deep gash on the eastern flank is carved by the Allt Choire Dhuibh stream, which begins at Lochan Choire Dhuibh near the summit. The southern slopes feature deep ravines that form the headwaters of the River Fillan. On the northern side lies Coire Luaidh, a corrie that once held lead mines active in the 18th and 19th centuries. Evidence of mining remains on the southern slopes, including an old adit and spoil heaps at 650 metres. Three popular routes lead to the summit, where a cairn marks the highest point. The most common start is from Tyndrum, following an old road now part of the West Highland Way. Another route climbs from Dalrigh via the long south ridge, passing Meall Buidhe. The view from the top takes in the Black Mount to the north and the hills around Crianlarich to the south. Walkers aiming to climb all five Auch Corbetts often begin at a parking place on the A82, facing a tough day with over 2,000 metres of ascent.