Buachaille Etive Beag

Buachaille Etive Beag stands in the Scottish Highlands between Glen Coe and Glen Etive. It is a narrow ridge about three kilometres long, running southwest to northeast. The mountain has two Munro peaks: Stob Dubh at the southern end and Stob Coire Raineach in the middle. Stob Coire Raineach gained Munro status in 1997 when all tops with a prominence over 150 metres were promoted. A smaller summit, Stob nan Cabar, lies at the northern end. The usual climbing route begins at the A82 road at the head of Glen Coe. Walkers follow a right-of-way through the Lairig Eilde pass for about 1.5 kilometres. From there they climb the hillside to a bealach at roughly 750 metres. Stob Coire Raineach is about half a kilometre northeast of the bealach, while Stob Dubh lies about two kilometres southwest. Most climbers descend the same way after reaching both summits. An alternative start is from Glen Etive, allowing a full ridge traverse. The southwest ridge is very steep, and anyone taking this route must arrange transport back or walk an extra four kilometres to return via the Lairig Eilde or Lairig Gartain. The mountain’s position between two glens offers dramatic views of the surrounding highlands.