Walking in Scotland’s Far North

The 62 mountain walks in this guidebook cover Scotland's north-west peninsula, north of Ullapool. Mainly day walks, taking in peaks such as Suilven, Quinag, Morven and Scaraben, with three longer mountain traverses (Assynt Horseshoe, a Raey traverse and a long ascent of Cranstackie).

This guidebook describes 62 routes, most of which involve fairly challenging ascents of peaks or mountain traverses. The routes are concentrated in the rugged terrain in Scotland's north west peninsula, taking in the splendid peaks of Suilven and Quinag, but also include the most interesting peaks to the east, such as Morven and Scaraben. The guide also describes three longer mountain traverses (34 - 56km) and three of the best low-level walks.
The walks are grouped firstly under geographical area headings, and secondly under mountain massifs. The majority of walks described are ascents of peaks or mountain traverses, they involve rough terrain and a reasonable level of fitness and experience of mountainous country is required.

The counties of Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, and Caithness, form Scotland's north west peninsula. Stack Polly, Suilven and Ben Loyal have been favourite peaks for generations and many come to the far north to enjoy the unique scenery with its knobbly gneiss moors, jutting peaks, rugged coastline and unspoilt villages.

Assynt and Coigach
Route 1: Ascent of Ben Mor Coigach from Acheninver youth hostel
Route 2: Ascent of Ben Mor Coigach from the Achiltibuie road
Route 3: Ascent of Cul Beag from Drumrunie
Route 4: Ascent of Cul Beag from Linneraineach
Route 5: Cul Beag to Stac Pollaidh link route
Route 6: Ascent to Stac Pollaidh's main col from Loch Lurgain
Route 7: Traverse of Stac Pollaidh's summit ridge
Route 8: Ascent of Cul Mor from Knockanrock
Route 9: Ascent of Cul Mor from the A835 via An Laogh
Route 10: Ascent of Cul Mor from Linneraineach via south-west face
Route 11: Cul Mor to Cul Beag link route
Route 12: Suilven approach from Elphin
Route 13: Suilven approach from Lochinver
Route 14: Suilven ascent from the north-east
Route 15: Suilven ascent from Inverkirkaig
Route 16: Suilven approach from Little Assynt
Route 17: Traverse of the Suilven summit ridge
Route 18: Canisp ascent from Little Assynt
Route 19: Canisp ascent from Loch Awe
Route 20: Canisp to Suilven link route
Route 21: Breabag ascent from Benmore Lodge
Route 22: Breabag ascent from Allt nan Uamh
Route 23: Breabag to Conival link route
Route 24: Ben More Assynt and Conival ascent from Inchnadamph
Route 25: The Oykell Horseshoe from Kinlochailsh
Route 26: Glas Bheinn and Beinn Uidhe ascent from Loch na Gainmhich
Route 27: Beinn Uidhe to Conival/Ben Mor Assynt link route
Route 28: Ascent of Quinag from the east
Route 29: Ascents of Quinag from the north
Route 30: Ascent of Quinag from Tumore
Route 31: Quinag to Glas Bheinn link route
Route 32: Ascent of Meallan a Chuail and Beinn Leoid from Kinloch, Loch More
Route 33: Ascent of Beinn Leoid from Kylestrome via Glen Dubh
Route 34: Ascent of Beinn Leoid and Meallan a Chuail from Loch na Gainmhich via Eas a Chuall Aluinn
Route 35: Beinn Leoid to Beinn Uidhe link route

The Far northwest and Reay Forest
Route 36: Ascent of Ben Stack from near Lochstack Lodge
Route 37: Ascent of Ben Hee from West Merkland
Route 38: Ascent of Meallan Liath from Achfary via Lone
Route 39: Ascent Meallan Liath from Aultanrynie
Route 40: Meallan Liath to Sabhal Beag link route
Route 41: Ascent of Meall Horn and The Sabhals from Achfary via Lone
Route 42: Direct ascent of Meall Horn from Lone
Route 43: Meall Horn/Creagan Meall Horn col to Arkle link route
Route 44: Meall Horn/Creagan Meall Horn col to Foinaven link route
Route 45: Ascent of Arkle from Achfary
Routes 46 and 47: Link routes from Arkle to Foinaven and Meall Horn
Route 48: Ascent of Foinaven from the north-west
Route 49: Beinn Spionnaidh and Cranstackie from Carbreck
Route 50: Ascent of Ben Hope from Strath More





The East
Route 51: Ascent of Ben Loyal from Ribigill
Route 52: Ascent of Beinn Stumanadh from Loch Loyal
Route 53: Ascent of Ben Klibreck from Vagastie
Route 54: Ascent of Ben Klibreck from Altnaharra
Route 55: The full traverse of Kilbreck ridge from Crask Inn
Route 56: Ascent of Morven from Braemore



Longer Mountain Traverses
Route 57: The Assynt Horseshoe
Route 58: A Reay traverse
Route 59: A long ascent of Cranstackie

Interesting Low-Level Walks
Route 60: Eas a Chual Aluinn
Route 61: The Culnacraig coastal path
Route 62: To Sandwood Bay and Cape Wrath


Other Routes