Walk review from Dee Taylor April 19th '09:Beinn Damph (Ben Daff - Stag Mountain)(Low level - Coulags to Torridon)

8 club members met at Auchtertyre at 8am for a 2-car share to Torridon as no-one had chosen to do the low level walk on this occasion. The weather was at its best from the outset making the journey very enjoyable via the coast road and giving way to photo opportunities. Parking in the Torridon Hotel car park we set off back across the raod bridge and walked about 100m to pick up the small stepped path on the left. Completely opposite on the right, a stile can be seen. Keep note of this, as it is a lovely short cut back to the refreshments!

The path is excellent with budding rhododendrons and pine trees creating an avenue for the first part. Two water crossings are via small bridges, the second one with care, as a fallen tree has to be hurdled to make headway. Following the path into the open and keeping strictly right at junction, we soon reached the flat area of Toll Ba'n(The White Hole) where the path splits to the 2 summits. Bearing left, we chose to climb the ridge to the highest point of Spidean Coire an Laoigh(903m) first, this being the more challenging top to reach(as seems to be the nature of the Torridon Hills) having to walk over shattered quartzite and a boulder field to reach the cairn: well worth the effort. We rested midway to take in the tremendous views and enjoy the sunshine. After our time spent enjoying the summit, and lunch, we made our way back down to Toll Ba'n where 6 of the group carried on to the lower, and kinder underfoot path to the summit of Sgur na Bana' Mhoraire(687m) whle 2 made their way slowly back off the hill. It was agreed that this path and summit offered the more spectacular views of the day, with Loch Torridon and Loch Damph sparkling azure blue and mirror-like reflecting the surrounding mountains and trees in their waters. A fantastic photo session took place. We eventually had to leave and made our way back off the Beinn by way of our inward route but took time to stop and enjoy, from its viewpoint, the beautiful waterfall of the Allt Coire Roill, which is about 30mins. before you reach the main road again.
Views from Beinn Damph are 360 degrees and we were fortunate to have the near perfect day to soak up the sheer beauty of the area. Welcome refreshments were much enjoyed in the late afternoon sunshine of the hotel beer garden where it was agreed by all that it was a grand day out !