HILLWALKING

Quinag

Assynt Mountains

Suilven (731m) Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 Grid Reference NC 153184
The Sugar Loaf is the most westerly of the Assynt mountains. Its extraordinary shape and inacessability makes it one of the best known and most popular in Britain. The mountain may be climbed from a number of different starting points, but the most common is Lochinver (one hour drive from Cairncroft. There is an informal car park on the road to Glencanisp Lodge, form where the four mile walk in to the base of Suilven begins. The approach itself is easy, along a track and path which runs all the way from Lochinver to Elphin. A cairn marks the spot at 169195 to leave the path and approach the mountain. The ascent is steep, and the slope quite badle eroded in places, but when the narrow saddle is achieved,.the route to the main domed peak of Caisteal Liath is obvious, passing through a gap in a bizarrely placed dry stone dyke built accross the ridge.
Photo: Suilven, accross Fionn Loch
Photo: Suilven, from Canisp
Read about Simon & Susan's expeditions here
Canisp (847m) Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 Grid Reference NC 203188
Thirty minute drive from Cairncroft. Park just north of Loch Awe on A837 and head NW up the easy (rather tedious) slope to the summit. The uninspiring walk is made worthwhile (and earns the mountain its second star) for the great views of Suilven, Lochinver and the sea beyond. Particularly recommended for an evening walk - the sun setting beyond Lochinver provides Suilven with a perfect context.
Photo: Canisp, accross Loch Awe
Photo: Suilven, from Canisp
Quinag (808m) Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 Grid Reference NC 209292
Thirty-five minute drive from Ciarncroft. Park on the A894 at 230266 and head W up the easy slopes of Spidean Coinich, which mask the rather more challenging ridge that lies beyond. Spidean Coinich is the first of five significant peaks, and seven hours should be allowed to climb them all. Quinag earns its high rating for the narrow ridge between Spidean Coinich and the third main peak (from which Sail Gorm, and Sail Gharbh branch). A good head for heights is required here, and special care on the steep paths. Those that miss out on the ridge and make directly for the main summit on Sail Gharbh deny themselves an outstanding mountain experience. An easy escape from the ridge may be made from the Bealach a' Chornaidh (203285), following the path around the north of the Lochan, to join the path from the road, which is marked on the OS Map.
Photo: Quinag, from Loch Assynt
Photo: Quinag : surveying the ridge from Spidean Coinich
Photo: Quinag : approaching the summit of the third peak
Photo: Quinag : on the ridge of Spidean Coinich
Glas Bheinn Beinn Uidhe and Beinn an Fhurain (all part of the Conival / Ben More Assynt range) Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 Grid References NC 254265, 282252 and 303216 respectively
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