A very nice man gave me a piggyback across that river - 35 years ago. I'm sure you have gathered by now, I am living them all again through your videos. Thanks so much. Very sensible to curtail your outing. Looking after your knee is important.
Thats one way to do it 😂 glad you are enjoying the videos & its bringing back memories 😁 have rested the knee for a few weeks now so will hopefully get to test it soon 😁🏔 Cheers, James
Thank you for sharing these beautiful videos, love watching your journey, a lot of people won't ever get to see the beautiful scenery from the top of these munros, so thanks.x
Its a beautiful mountain and the views are stunning,as they are with most of them round those parts!! I totally sympathise with your knee trouble i did mine really badly last September on Lomondside Vorlich and had to give it a rest with physio for the remainder of the year, doctor's orders!! Feels so much better for it this year I'm glad to say,i really hope you get it back to full strength,as you say the mountains will always be there for when its better.Loving your videos!!
Thanks William 😁 your right, the only way to heal is to give it a rest sometimes.. which can be very frustrating as you will know 😂 I have been lucky since and haven’t had too many issues since.. Cheers, James
Had the pleasure of meeting you on this stomp. We were on the way down when you were on the way up just out of the bog. Wish you had some footage of us knee deep in mud haha! Keep the videos coming sir they are class 👌🏻
Hi James, Ben Lui is certainly up there with other tops in the southern highlands. Its even better when there is a bit of snow laying about. I hope the knee doesn't curtail you're walking late in the season but certainly better to give not time rather than rush back too soon. The hills will always be there along with your subs. Cheers, Charlie.
Thanks Charlie, looking forward to exploring more of the Southern Highlands soon 😁 been resting for the last few weeks so hopefully it will be fine on my next trip, like you say, the hills will always be there 😁🏔 Cheers, James
I did these from the Cononish side and included Beinn Dubhcraig and Ben Oss. On the summit of Ben Lui I met 3 guys who had come up the same way as you. I was unsure about doing Beinn a’Chleibh but the 3 guys offered me a lift back to my car so I went for it. When we descended down to Glen Lochy after climbing the last hill, these guys ran all the way back down to the car!! I later learnt they were mountain instructors from the Army Training centre in Glencoe. It was worth it for the lift back and inclusion of the 4th Munro. Tnanks for sharing.
That must have been an epic day - I would have done them 4 in a day but I had no lift back and couldn’t be bothered with the long walk back 😂 great mountains 🏔 Cheers, James
Hope you get your knee sorted soon. I like what you said, " apart from that it was all good". It could be used for lots of things. Many thanks for sharing ATB
@@ScottishMunroJourney Nice one mate, looking forward to the videos. Can I just ask what your boots are and how you find them. I'm looking to change mine for the start of next year and like the look of those that you are wearing. Cheers
@@DAoutdoors They are the La Sportiva Trango Towers, im on to my 2nd pair now, great boots, they do wear out pretty quickly but I find them really comfy so its worth it 😁👍 Cheers, James
Agreed, Ben Lui is class; done it both ways and would definitely recommend doing it from Connonish, looks seriously epic once its corries come into view.
It’s a hard one between Ben Lui and Ben Cruachan. Both are stunning mountains. Remember the bog and river crossing very well on this walk. Great feeling seeing the two mountains from the other side of the woods. Ben Oss is worth a mention too. Great summit views over Ben Lui.
Looking forward to seeing Ben Cruachan, would be hard to forget the bogs in this one 😂 was planning the other 2 the next day but my knee wouldn’t allow it - they won’t be going anywhere though 😁 Cheers, James
Enjoyed your video and echo your comments about the muddy woods. The river crossing at the bottom was quite difficult the second time I did it. As a winter mountain with snow in the big corrie it is very good but I don’t think it is in the class of Ben Cruachan.
My first wild camp was off the side of Ben Lui, did it from the east though. Gorgeous views, though I'd take something like the Cobbler or Stob Binnien over it as best in the south
I've only watched 2 minutes, can't believe you skipped filming the boggy section, you should at least let folk know what they are in for going that route, still one of the worst bogs I've encountered so far! 😆 We got clouds at the summit, a bit like you saw from the 2nd Munro, nice to see the views we missed almost exactly 6 years ago. The 1131m top you were on first was the actual summit, the cairn you went to after is 1127 NW top. On Beinn a' Cleibh the summit is the first cairn you reach. I often start my walks late to get the better light for photo's on the descent. Congrats on 154 and well done on the good Gaelic pronunciation! 👍 You also got lucky with the river, we had to take beach footwear to cross! Another enjoyable video, hope the injury heals fast for you, cheers.
Apologies, I should have shown the bog but it was a bit of a challenge to set the camera up etc 😂 ah I was on the tight track then, difficult to tell sometimes! The light certainly is better later in the day, thanks - I have rested the knee for nearly 3 weeks now so will be testing it soon! Cheers, James
Great vid mate. Love Ben Lui - did your exact route back in 2015 and that boggy section is hideous. Despie a long walk in, the ascent from Dalrigh is amazing as well. Let me guess - Dubhchraig and Oss the day after?
Thanks Trev, worst bog I’ve encountered😆 I was planning the other 2 the next day but my knee has been giving me problems so I had to just head home - will return for them soon 😁 Cheers, James
Nice one James! That is the worst big I have ever walked through! I’m sure there were a few shoes abandoned when I was there! Ben lui is awesome eh! Hopefully your knee will be ok! I had real problems two years ago. Ended up with physio which never helped! Started doing hip and leg exercises which eventually worked! Cheers again. Paul
Cheers Paul 😁 its a terrible bog, couldn’t film it 😂 Yes Ben Lui is an awesome hill, probably looks even better from the Munros around it! Ah nightmare, at-least you have found something that works, nothing worse than knee pain 👎 Cheers, James
Top video James. Done these 2 but in reverse of what you did. Was a bogfest for me as well. Ben Lui is no doubt a fine munro but IMHO Ben Cruachan just along the road trumps it. Not sure if you have done these 2. If not and when you do it , do it anti-clockwise so you always have Cruachan in your sight. It looks pretty fine as you walk along the ridge. Great walk. Cheers 👍 PS hope the knee isn’t too bad
Thanks Andrew 😁🏔 terrible bog, look forward to doing Cruachan so thanks for the advice! Knee seems to be on the mend so will be trying it again soon, Cheers, James
If you’d climbed Ben Lui from the east via the ridges you’d probably give it a higher rating, it’s by far the best way to ascend and descend this classic.
Best of luck with the knee - you want to go to a good sports phisio. They know far more than any general doctor and can often put right painful problems quickly, and are also able to give you some idea how serious the injury is.
Thanks Eddie, going to give it one more go now its rested, if it gives me any more problems then I will be seeing a physio.. That would be great. Cheers, James
Take it easy! No need to rush the rest of the peaks. Speaking from experience, if you're body is complaining then you're moving too quickly to enjoy the view.
Im resting now 😁 think my problem is no recovery between hikes.. as I take way too long on these days out as I’m sitting taking in the views 😂 Cheers, James
As soon as I saw the dook under the bridge I knew where you were and what was coming up, that bog! I had a chuckle when you said "a short time later I made it through" 😂 I was like, "No! Tell the people how horrendous it is! The people must know!" 😂 Possibly the worst bog I've ever faced. I bagged the four recently too with a wild camp on the bealach but only one view out of four so it was good to see what was on offer. Great stuff as always and I'm looking forward to seeing the next two in the range when they come but no point in doing damage 👍🏼
Haha you are right 😂 worst bit of bog ever, couldn’t face putting my camera down to film it 😂 thats a good way to do it, shame about the views you got though - one is better than none I suppose! Cheers, James
@@AScotsmanOutdoors very true, it seems to be better but I only really get pain when walking downhill so can’t tell until I try it again 😂 hoping to get out in the next few days to test it if the weather plays ball..
So apart from the river washing you away and the bog sucking you under, its not too bad 🤣🤣 hope the knee is mending. I have to take a knee support with me just in case these days aswell as the poles. Take care.
Haha got to look on the bright side sometimes 😂 thank you, knee has been rested for a few weeks so hoping it will be good for a trip soon Cheers, James
I was chatting with a chap today with views of the Five Sisters, Glenshiel. He said doing all five or even seven on one trip is cheating. What do you think of doing one Munro on one day? This would give you more time to appreciate the mountain. If people race round the Munros they miss out on so much.
I wouldn’t classify that as cheating, it makes sense to do some Munros in multiples, the best ridges are usually between the Munros (South Glen Shiel Ridge for example) Each to their own though, some people also say taking a bike is cheating, but as long as you enjoy your day out then who really cares 😁🏔 Cheers, James
I think the best mountain is in the eye of the person climbing them. Each mountain regardless of where it is, means something different to each person & each person takes something different away from the experience. 😊
Sort the knee James that essential. To determine your location for the true mountain top, take a bearing from two known mountain tops. Then triangulate this onto your map. Or look at your GPS.
A very nice man gave me a piggyback across that river - 35 years ago. I'm sure you have gathered by now, I am living them all again through your videos. Thanks so much. Very sensible to curtail your outing. Looking after your knee is important.
Thats one way to do it 😂 glad you are enjoying the videos & its bringing back memories 😁 have rested the knee for a few weeks now so will hopefully get to test it soon 😁🏔
Cheers, James
Thank you for sharing these beautiful videos, love watching your journey, a lot of people won't ever get to see the beautiful scenery from the top of these munros, so thanks.x
Thanks Heather glad you are enjoying them 😁
Cheers, James
Its a beautiful mountain and the views are stunning,as they are with most of them round those parts!!
I totally sympathise with your knee trouble i did mine really badly last September on Lomondside
Vorlich and had to give it a rest with physio for the remainder of the year, doctor's orders!!
Feels so much better for it this year I'm glad to say,i really hope you get it back to full strength,as you say the mountains will always be there for when its better.Loving your videos!!
Thanks William 😁 your right, the only way to heal is to give it a rest sometimes.. which can be very frustrating as you will know 😂 I have been lucky since and haven’t had too many issues since.. Cheers, James
Thoroughly enjoyed it, your enthusiasm really shines through. Hope the knees get better soon.
Thanks Gary, been resting the knee for a few weeks so will be taking it for a test drive soon 😁
Cheers, James
cotland's Mountains is quite literally therapy!
Amazing hiking trip.
Thank you 😁🏔
Had the pleasure of meeting you on this stomp. We were on the way down when you were on the way up just out of the bog. Wish you had some footage of us knee deep in mud haha! Keep the videos coming sir they are class 👌🏻
Ah yes we met in the bog 😂 nice to meet yous, haha couldn’t face putting the camera down and film the bog 😂 Cheers, James
Excellent video as usual, rest the knee and as you say the mountains will always be there.
Thanks Glen 😁🏔
Your video gave me a chance to see the views i missed. Was clagged in when i done it. I'll need to revisit. Another great vlog.
Thank you, definitely worth a revisit 😁
Cheers, James
A rich story v nicely told thanks for sharing.
Hi James, Ben Lui is certainly up there with other tops in the southern highlands. Its even better when there is a bit of snow laying about. I hope the knee doesn't curtail you're walking late in the season but certainly better to give not time rather than rush back too soon.
The hills will always be there along with your subs. Cheers, Charlie.
Thanks Charlie, looking forward to exploring more of the Southern Highlands soon 😁 been resting for the last few weeks so hopefully it will be fine on my next trip, like you say, the hills will always be there 😁🏔
Cheers, James
Great vid mate not done those 2 yet but good info on the river crossings and the bogs! Aye mate u need to rest that knee 👍🏻
Cheers mate, go when the weather has been dry 😂👍
I did these from the Cononish side and included Beinn Dubhcraig and Ben Oss. On the summit of Ben Lui I met 3 guys who had come up the same way as you. I was unsure about doing Beinn a’Chleibh but the 3 guys offered me a lift back to my car so I went for it. When we descended down to Glen Lochy after climbing the last hill, these guys ran all the way back down to the car!! I later learnt they were mountain instructors from the Army Training centre in Glencoe. It was worth it for the lift back and inclusion of the 4th Munro. Tnanks for sharing.
That must have been an epic day - I would have done them 4 in a day but I had no lift back and couldn’t be bothered with the long walk back 😂 great mountains 🏔
Cheers, James
Hope you get your knee sorted soon. I like what you said, " apart from that it was all good". It could be used for lots of things. Many thanks for sharing ATB
Thanks John, haha always look on the bright side 😂
Cheers, James
Cracking video James. Looks like you beat the rain. Hope the knee sorts itself out. Thanks for sharing your adventure as always 😀⛰🥾🏴
Cheers Dave, just beat the rain 😁 knee has been resting for the last few weeks so will be testing it soon 🏔
Cheers, James
@@ScottishMunroJourney Nice one mate, looking forward to the videos. Can I just ask what your boots are and how you find them. I'm looking to change mine for the start of next year and like the look of those that you are wearing. Cheers
@@DAoutdoors They are the La Sportiva Trango Towers, im on to my 2nd pair now, great boots, they do wear out pretty quickly but I find them really comfy so its worth it 😁👍
Cheers, James
Looks amazing and it's an emotional walk 👍👍
I very much enjoyed your hiking
Thanks for watching 😁🏔
Another lovely video 👍
Great again mate hope knee is ok 👍
Thank you 😁
Got to admire the dedication to filming - you must have had to cross that river nearly 3 times to get those shots!!
Thank you - yes it was something like that, cameraman required 😂
Cheers, James
Agreed, Ben Lui is class; done it both ways and would definitely recommend doing it from Connonish, looks seriously epic once its corries come into view.
Its a great mountain! Will probably see it from that side when I do the two Munros East of it 😁
Cheers, James
It’s a hard one between Ben Lui and Ben Cruachan. Both are stunning mountains. Remember the bog and river crossing very well on this walk. Great feeling seeing the two mountains from the other side of the woods. Ben Oss is worth a mention too. Great summit views over Ben Lui.
Looking forward to seeing Ben Cruachan, would be hard to forget the bogs in this one 😂 was planning the other 2 the next day but my knee wouldn’t allow it - they won’t be going anywhere though 😁
Cheers, James
Enjoyed your video and echo your comments about the muddy woods. The river crossing at the bottom was quite difficult the second time I did it. As a winter mountain with snow in the big corrie it is very good but I don’t think it is in the class of Ben Cruachan.
That bog at the start is a nightmare.. Looking forward to doing Ben Cruachan 😁
Great video dude. Keep it going.
Thank you 😁
My first wild camp was off the side of Ben Lui, did it from the east though. Gorgeous views, though I'd take something like the Cobbler or Stob Binnien over it as best in the south
Nice one Dave, its supposed to be a nice approach from that direction 😁🏔 you might be right, look forward to doing them both one day!
Cheers, James
Brilliant video as usual, take care of that knee and you will soon be back out 😃🙏
Thank you 😁🏔 I have rested it for a few weeks so i’ll hopefully get back out soon
Cheers, James
I've only watched 2 minutes, can't believe you skipped filming the boggy section, you should at least let folk know what they are in for going that route, still one of the worst bogs I've encountered so far! 😆 We got clouds at the summit, a bit like you saw from the 2nd Munro, nice to see the views we missed almost exactly 6 years ago. The 1131m top you were on first was the actual summit, the cairn you went to after is 1127 NW top. On Beinn a' Cleibh the summit is the first cairn you reach. I often start my walks late to get the better light for photo's on the descent. Congrats on 154 and well done on the good Gaelic pronunciation! 👍 You also got lucky with the river, we had to take beach footwear to cross! Another enjoyable video, hope the injury heals fast for you, cheers.
Apologies, I should have shown the bog but it was a bit of a challenge to set the camera up etc 😂 ah I was on the tight track then, difficult to tell sometimes! The light certainly is better later in the day, thanks - I have rested the knee for nearly 3 weeks now so will be testing it soon!
Cheers, James
Great vid mate. Love Ben Lui - did your exact route back in 2015 and that boggy section is hideous. Despie a long walk in, the ascent from Dalrigh is amazing as well. Let me guess - Dubhchraig and Oss the day after?
Thanks Trev, worst bog I’ve encountered😆 I was planning the other 2 the next day but my knee has been giving me problems so I had to just head home - will return for them soon 😁
Cheers, James
@@ScottishMunroJourney Rest up mate.
Yeah, the approach from the North is a lot better, and easier.
Lovely! Good decision to rest the knee up though - hope it improves soon.
Thanks Paul, nothing worse than knee pain - i’ll hopefully get back out soon 😁
Cheers, James
Very beautiful my friernd
Hope the knees ok!!
Nice one James! That is the worst big I have ever walked through! I’m sure there were a few shoes abandoned when I was there! Ben lui is awesome eh! Hopefully your knee will be ok! I had real problems two years ago. Ended up with physio which never helped! Started doing hip and leg exercises which eventually worked! Cheers again. Paul
Cheers Paul 😁 its a terrible bog, couldn’t film it 😂 Yes Ben Lui is an awesome hill, probably looks even better from the Munros around it! Ah nightmare, at-least you have found something that works, nothing worse than knee pain 👎
Cheers, James
Top video James. Done these 2 but in reverse of what you did. Was a bogfest for me as well. Ben Lui is no doubt a fine munro but IMHO Ben Cruachan just along the road trumps it. Not sure if you have done these 2. If not and when you do it , do it anti-clockwise so you always have Cruachan in your sight. It looks pretty fine as you walk along the ridge. Great walk. Cheers 👍 PS hope the knee isn’t too bad
Thanks Andrew 😁🏔 terrible bog, look forward to doing Cruachan so thanks for the advice! Knee seems to be on the mend so will be trying it again soon,
Cheers, James
went up the same route, met people who had camped at the bealach , sunk in the mud on the way back to the car so that was the breeks thrown out😅
Great camp-spot that, haha the mud is terrible, dont blame you 😂
Cheers, James
If you’d climbed Ben Lui from the east via the ridges you’d probably give it a higher rating, it’s by far the best way to ascend and descend this classic.
Definitely - looking forward to seeing it from the munro next to it, I was planning them the next day but the knee wouldn’t allow it 😆🏔
Cheers, James
Best of luck with the knee - you want to go to a good sports phisio. They know far more than any general doctor and can often put right painful problems quickly, and are also able to give you some idea how serious the injury is.
P.S. I know a good one in Inverness if you message me.
Thanks Eddie, going to give it one more go now its rested, if it gives me any more problems then I will be seeing a physio.. That would be great.
Cheers, James
@@ScottishMunroJourney Remember you need a proper sports physio.
Take it easy! No need to rush the rest of the peaks. Speaking from experience, if you're body is complaining then you're moving too quickly to enjoy the view.
Im resting now 😁 think my problem is no recovery between hikes.. as I take way too long on these days out as I’m sitting taking in the views 😂
Cheers, James
As soon as I saw the dook under the bridge I knew where you were and what was coming up, that bog!
I had a chuckle when you said "a short time later I made it through" 😂 I was like, "No! Tell the people how horrendous it is! The people must know!" 😂 Possibly the worst bog I've ever faced.
I bagged the four recently too with a wild camp on the bealach but only one view out of four so it was good to see what was on offer.
Great stuff as always and I'm looking forward to seeing the next two in the range when they come but no point in doing damage 👍🏼
Haha you are right 😂 worst bit of bog ever, couldn’t face putting my camera down to film it 😂 thats a good way to do it, shame about the views you got though - one is better than none I suppose!
Cheers, James
Ah, I guess we can't get views on them all @@ScottishMunroJourney How's the knee doing? I hope it's on the mend.
@@AScotsmanOutdoors very true, it seems to be better but I only really get pain when walking downhill so can’t tell until I try it again 😂 hoping to get out in the next few days to test it if the weather plays ball..
@@ScottishMunroJourney I understand the frustration with injuries while the mind wants out.
Fingers crossed for the weather and your knee 🤞🏻
Ben lui is good from dalrigh , park where you do Ben oss and Ben dubcraig
So apart from the river washing you away and the bog sucking you under, its not too bad 🤣🤣 hope the knee is mending. I have to take a knee support with me just in case these days aswell as the poles. Take care.
Haha got to look on the bright side sometimes 😂 thank you, knee has been rested for a few weeks so hoping it will be good for a trip soon
Cheers, James
I was chatting with a chap today with views of the Five Sisters, Glenshiel. He said doing all five or even seven on one trip is cheating. What do you think of doing one Munro on one day? This would give you more time to appreciate the mountain. If people race round the Munros they miss out on so much.
I wouldn’t classify that as cheating, it makes sense to do some Munros in multiples, the best ridges are usually between the Munros (South Glen Shiel Ridge for example)
Each to their own though, some people also say taking a bike is cheating, but as long as you enjoy your day out then who really cares 😁🏔
Cheers, James
I think the best mountain is in the eye of the person climbing them. Each mountain regardless of where it is, means something different to each person & each person takes something different away from the experience. 😊
100% 😁🏔
I did these two from Tyndrum…😵💫
Longer walk in but probably better views of Ben Lui?
Going up the east face lives long in the memory, would recommend it. Epic walk back tho.
Sort the knee James that essential. To determine your location for the true mountain top, take a bearing from two known mountain tops. Then triangulate this onto your map. Or look at your GPS.