Beinn en Eòin by Baosbheinn

Of the hills in the Flowerdale Forest, the summit of Beinn en Eòin lies farthest from the road, which is as good a reason to run to it as any. It also offers some of the best views of the Torridon hills as well as Slioch, and if you’re collecting Corbetts, is arguably one of the highlights along the way. Approached from the north and taken with Baosbheinn, the round offers a reasonably demanding day and some ridge running that is simply superb.

The rough track from Am Feur-loch soon climbs among native pines – the result of regeneration programmes that began in the years I first came to these hills – rising steadily above the Abhainn a’ Gharbh Choire. I went via Baosbheinn first, taking the rough ground to the northern end of the ridge as clag lifted slowly.

By the time I was tackling the steep slopes of Beinn en Eòin above Poca Buidhe, the Torridon hills were clear and I spent longer than planned simply sat amidst the vast panorama which must rank among the finest, anywhere.

Fast running on the ridge was followed by a rough descent, the miles that remained broken by long views to Slioch – its northwest buttress and the long scramble to its summit clearly visible in the evening light – and then the scent of pine on the salt air that carried from Loch Gairloch.