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The Sustainable Stop

Munro Profile 24: Bidean nam Bian

Region: Loch Leven to Connel Bridge and Glen Lochy
Height: 1,150m (3,773 ft)

Bidean nam Bian is the highest peak in Argyll and one of the most dramatic mountains in the southern Highlands. Rising above Glen Coe’s famous Three Sisters, it offers a complex network of ridges, corries, and summits. Though popular, it retains a wild feel, especially when approached via quieter routes. For campervan travellers, access is excellent, with scenic parking and nearby facilities.

Trailhead and Parking

Primary Access Point: Three Sisters Car Park (Glen Coe)

  • Location: A82, east of Glencoe village
  • Grid Reference: NN143542 (Three Sisters Car Park)
  • Capacity: Large; suitable for daytime campervan access
  • Facilities: None at the car park; nearest services in Glencoe village
  • Charges: Free
  • Overnight: Not permitted

Alternative Options

  • Glencoe Village: Campsite with full facilities, 10-minute drive from the trailhead
  • Wild parking: Possible in designated laybys along the A82 (check signage and seasonal restrictions)
  • Loch Achtriochtan: Smaller layby with scenic views

Route Overview

Standard Ascent: Coire nan Lochan and Stob Coire nan Lochan Circuit

  • Distance: Approximately 11 km round trip
  • Elevation Gain: Around 1,200 metres
  • Terrain: Steep rocky paths, exposed ridges, corrie scrambles
  • Time Estimate: 5 to 7 hours

Navigation Notes

  • Complex terrain with multiple ridges, a map, a compass, or a GPS is essential
  • Often combined with Stob Coire nan Lochan and sometimes Stob Coire Sgreamhach
  • Weather can change rapidly; visibility is key for safe route-finding

Campervan Suitability

Day Parking

  • Three Sisters Car Park allows daytime campervan access
  • Glencoe village offers overflow options and amenities

Overnight Options

  • Glencoe Campsite: Toilets, showers, electric hook-ups
  • Wild parking may be possible in designated laybys (check signage)
  • No overnighting permitted at the Three Sisters trailhead

Fuel and Supplies

  • Glencoe Village: Fuel station, shop, café
  • Nearest large supermarket: Ballachulish or Fort William

Legacy Log

  • Name origin: “Bidean nam Bian” translates to “peak of the mountains”
  • Name origin varies by source; often translated as “peak of the mountains,” though older meanings include “peak of the women” or “peak of the cows.”
  • Summit features: Cairn with views across Glen Coe, Loch Etive, and the Mamores
  • Known for: Dramatic ridges, complex topography, and iconic status in Scottish mountaineering
  • Popular with: Scramblers, photographers, and those seeking a high-impact day walk

Closing Notes

This is Munro Profile 24 in your campervan-access series. If you’ve climbed Bidean nam Bian, explored the Three Sisters, or found a reliable overnight spot nearby, feel free to share your comments. Your insights help shape the archive and support fellow travellers.

Sources Used
These sites provide far more detailed and comprehensive overviews of the walks and Munros than I could hope to cover here:

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