Hillwalking and Climbing

Sutherland and Wester Ross offer some of the most exhilarating hillwalking in Scotland. There are Munros (>3,000ft) Corbetts (>2,500ft) and Grahams (>2,000ft) a plenty. For the reasonably fit and healthy, the mountains are not difficult in settled, dry, warm weather, but there aren't many days like this in the Highlands. Proper clothing, footwear and equipment are essential, including a compass (with at least a basic understanding of how it works), emergency whistle, water, warm clothes, waterproofs (whatever the forecast) and a willingness to give up and come back another day if the weather worsens. People die in the Scottish mountains every year, and not just during the winter months.

The mountains are given a personal star rating, ranging from (fun but forgettable) to (heaven on earth), while the danger and difficulty is rated from (easy) to (very tough)

This page contains a summary, the linked headings take you to the details.

Munros
Ben More Assynt and Conival : the Munros which dominate the view north-west from Cairncroft
Ben Hope : the most northerly Munro
Ben Klibreck : north east of Loch Shin
Seana Bhraigh : one of the remotest Munros
An Teallach : held in awe by all who have visited her
Torridon : Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Beinn Alligin
The Maiden : remote in the extreme

Recommended reading (for detailed route maps and guides) : The Munros (Scottish Mountaineering Club Hillwalkers' Guide) Edited by Donald Bennet and The Munros by Cameron McNeish and Walking in Assynt by the Assynt Mountain Rescue (available in the Cairncroft library)

Coigach and Assynt
The mountains of Coigach and Assynt are unusual for the Highlands. There are no mountain ranges of the Cairngorms type as such - each mountain stands alone and is highly individual in character. The northern part of the Coigach area forms the Inverpollaidh National Nature Reserve, the second largest NNI in Scotland (after the Cairngorms).

Coigach Mountains
Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidleir, Stac Pollaidh
Recommended reading : A Hillwalker's Guide to Sutherland by Tom Strang and West Highland Walks : Two (Skye to Cape Wrath) by Hamish MacInnes (both available in the Cairncroft library)

Assynt Mountains
Suilven, Canisp, Quinag, Glas Bheinn Beinn Uidhe and Beinn an Fhurain
Recommended reading : A Hillwalker's Guide to Sutherland by Tom Strang (available in the Cairncroft library)

Others
Ben Hee, Ben Loyal, Arkle, Foinaven, Ben Stack, Cranstackie, Beinn Spionnaidh
Recommended reading : A Hillwalker's Guide to Sutherland by Tom Strang (available in the Cairncroft library)

Walking among (but not up) the mountains
Lochinver to Elphin; Glen Golly; Blughasary to Culnacraig; Linneraineach to Loch an Doire Dhuibh
Recommended reading : West Highland Walks : Two (Skye to Cape Wrath) by Hamish MacInnes (available in the Cairncroft Library)