Gulvain

Peaks: Gulvain (987m)

Area: Kinlocheil, Scotland

This peak is usually referred to as 'secretive' or 'mysterious'. It is indeed hidden from most roads and appealingly remote, and it ticked a lot of boxes for me today, forming the perfect transitional outing as I made my way to the wild west. I had camped in a superb spot at Callop, looking up at Sgurr Guibhesachan, a peak I did a few years ago, while drinking tea and having my evening meal. Part of the appeal of Gulvain was the potential to cycle a fair bit of the approach so that's what I did next morning, another late start waiting for an improvement in the weather which was still a bit drizzly, cold and claggy. The ride was really enjoyable, up a good track from Kinlocheil through Gleann Fionnlighe, which becomes increasingly wild and delightful. At Dail nan Uamachan, there is an old deserted building, and after this the track deteriorates but remained mostly rideable on my gravel bike. Gulvain now emerges properly ahead, a huge lump from this angle. I left my bike at the edge of the woodland and continued on foot up the glen, now wide open. At the end looms a bleakly obvious 700m slog up the south-western slopes. This was hard work, a relentless grind, although it was enlivened by changing weather patterns with threatening clouds over Moidart and nice views across to the nearby Sgurr Thuilm ridge I did in 2021. The steepness eases at a mini-plateau, when it started to rain and the mist came down at this point. A short rocky section leads up to a trigpoint, which for some reason is on this lower South Summit, meaning that apparently many people miss the main summit, which is much further away. No such issues for me, as the mist cleared and I could see the lovely looking ridge ahead. The cloud base constantly flirted with the summit, but from time to time I could see down to the wild valleys on either side and ahead to Strathan where I intended to head next. The ridge is nicely narrow in places and I wanted it to go on for much longer. The summit finally comes, miles from the road with a powerfully remote atmosphere although again the mist came down as I reached it. Gulvain is actually an anglicisation of Gaor Bheinn, which seems odd for such a hidden mountain. I had a snack at the only sheltered spot near the south top, and then the only alternative is to reverse steps back to the bike (2:50 and 13k/1200m, not including the biking). The weather never fully cleared and it was cold throughout, but Gulvain was an excellent option today. Back at the van, I had lunch and then headed back to Callop for another pleasant evening, with a bit more sunshine this time.