Beinn Talaidh. December 2015

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.


Dominating the head of Glen Forsa, 761m Beinn Talaidh’s sweeping lines and elegant profile make it arguably the most distinctive of Mull’s mountains after Ben More. Beinn Talaidh (pronounced ‘tala’) once enjoyed ‘Corbett’ status (a Scottish mountain over 2,500ft) till re-surveying demoted it to a ‘Graham’ at 2,496ft. It is steep-sided and isolated from its neighbours by very low bealachs, while its situation at the heart of Mull’s mountainous east gives Beinn Talaidh excellent 360° views. The ascent via Glen Forsa is a longer approach than the direct ascent from the A849 to the south, but it makes for a more enjoyable walk all round. Perched at the foot of Beinn Talaidh’s north ridge, Tomsleibhe bothy has such a splendid position that it’s almost rude to pass up the opportunity to overnight here! The turning for Glen Forsa is off the A849, 2km east of Salen on a section where the two carriageways separate. A small sign indicates ‘Glen Forsa Estate only’; but there is a place and invitation to park a short way along the lane by a house called Pennygown. Access further up the glen is on foot or by bicycle only. Glen Forsa is used for livestock grazing – something for walkers with dogs to be aware of.

Distance 17.8km (11 miles)

Total ascent 748m

Time 6 hours

Start/Finish parking area at the foot of Glen Forsa (NM596426)

Nearest town Salen 

Terrain good metalled track through Glen Forsa; after Tomsleibhe bothy route crosses rough, pathless moor; Beinn Talaidh’s lower reaches are very steep and grassy, but the gradient eases, giving way to scree higher up.

Accommodation Tomsleibhe MBA bothy; Craignure Bunkhouse (01680) 812043; campsite: Sheiling Holidays, Craignure (01680) 812496

Public transport Bus 95 and 495 from Craignure or Salen

Tourist info The Pier, Craignure (01680) 812377

Best pub Craignure Inn, Craignure (01680) 812305

NM595427 Go through a gate and continue along the gravel track with the River Forsa and a large forestry plantation to the left and Beinn Talaidh and its subsidiary summit – Beinn Bheag (wee hill) – dominating the view ahead. The track passes Killbeg cottage and the ruins of a chapel and burial ground, then goes through another gate. In the past as many as ten families lived in the glen, but most were evicted from their homes to make way for blackface sheep during the Clearances. Once the forestry plantation is left behind the middle reaches of the glen open out for a while before the track moves closer to the river and more forestry plantations. Cross a wooden bridge over a tributary then keep right at a fork on the main track, staying to the south of the river.

NM616377 Further on the track swingsaround to a gate, beyond which there is a shallow ford over another tributary (the footbridge marked on the OS 1:25k maps does not exist). Bear right at a fork by a striking memorial – a buckled aircraft propeller from a wartime plane crash on Beinn Talaidh in 1945. Eight crew were on board the Dakota transport plane and three were killed in the crash; one of the survivors alerted rescuers from the remaining farmsteads in the glen. One of these was Bentalla Cottage, 500m further along the path from the memorial, which is now Tomsleibhe bothy – maintained by volunteers from the excellent Mountain Bothies Association, and a fine base from which to tackle the mountain. 

NM618372 Beyond the bothy the path becomes fainter and very boggy; after a few hundred metres it drops slightly and crosses the Allt nan Clàr burn at the mouth of Gleann Lèan before fading out altogther. Head south towards the foot of the steep, grassy ridge of Beinn Talaidh and go through the gate in a deer fence. More boggy ground is crossed before the climb begins in earnest; the going underfoot is drier though the ascent is very steep at first. Higher up the north ridge – at around 500m – the gradient eases and efforts are rewarded by fine views back down Glen Forsa with Loch Ba over to the west and Ben More rising above the surrounding peaks.



NM621356 The final climb crosses stony ground before the grassy summit plateau is reached. There is a trig point and a large cairn just beyond – the latter marking the highest point – and there are grand views to be enjoyed, weather permitting. The best route of return is to retrace your steps and enjoy the long walk-out through Glen Forsa.