Suilven

Suilven, 731m

Date: 22/7/1997

Summits

Suilven from Lochinver

Companions: alone

Casteal Liath (731m)
Meall Meadhonach (701m)

Distance: 21km

Climbing: 750m

Time: 8 hrs

Weather: hot and sunny, becoming hazy; heavy shower on way back

Munro Tally: not a Munro (but definitely worth climbing)

One of the best!

Drove out of Lochinver as far as possible on the wee road towards Glen Canisp Lodge. (Hint: go early as there is not much parking space). From there, it is a 6 mile walk, due east, firstly along the tarred road to Glen Canisp Lodge, then along an excellent stalker's path towards the mountain. After 2 hours walking, I branched off the main path (which continues further into the estate) uphill through some very boggy ground to Loch a' Choire Dhuibh. From the loch, the path then climbs very steeply up rough bouldery scree to the Bealach Mor on the main ridge of Suilven. From there, fantastic views both north (towards Quinag and Canisp), and south (towards Stac Pollaidh).

After a rest, I turned right (west) along the ridge to Casteal Liath, the highest top of the mountain, which is a grassy dome with cliffs dropping away on 3 sides to the moorland below. Retracing my steps along the entertaining ridge, I continued past Bealach Mor and found a route to the top of Meall Mheadhonach ("the middle lump") threading through sandstone outcrops on the northern side. Meall Beag is the third (and eastern top) but it looked a bit tricky, and mindful of the long walk home, decided not to attempt it. So, back once again to Bealach Mor, slithered down the screes to regain the stalkers' path. A heavy shower appeared from nowhere on the way back, and was a very welcome refreshment of my hot and tired body! Eventually the car appeared on the horizon, and I was able to return to the (relatively) civilised world of our family tent at Achmelvich Bay campsite.

Suilven from Lochinver

Wherever you go around Lochinver, Suilven's proposterous domed summit pops into view! Here it is from the road a mile south of Lochinver.

On the walk in to Suilven >>

View of Suilven from the stalkers path from Glen Canisp lodge.

A sketch of the view of Suilven from the south showing the ridge from Casteal Liath across the Bealach Mor to Meall Mheadhonach. I decided against the scramble down to Meall Bheag at the eastern end.

approach to Suilven

Summit Ridge of Suilven

< Casteal Liath from Meall Mheadhonach, with the path crossing the stone wall, then zig-zagging up to the summit dome.

Meall Mheadhonach appears very sharp from Casteal Liath. This photo gives the sense of being on the roof of a cathedral with steep drops down to the moorland all around - almost unique among Scottish mountains in that there are no ridges connecting Suilven to any other mountain. >

To see an OS 1:50000 map of this mountain, click here

To see a road map of the area around this mountain, click here

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Comments or questions? david@dbethune.com

Date: 22/7/1997	Summits
Companions: alone	Casteal Liath (731m) Meall Meadhonach (701m)
Distance: 21km
Climbing: 750m
Time: 8 hrs
Weather: hot and sunny, becoming hazy; heavy shower on way back
Munro Tally: not a Munro (but definitely worth climbing)
One of the best! Drove out of Lochinver as far as possible on the wee road towards Glen Canisp Lodge. (Hint: go early as there is not much parking space). From there, it is a 6 mile walk, due east, firstly along the tarred road to Glen Canisp Lodge, then along an excellent stalker's path towards the mountain. After 2 hours walking, I branched off the main path (which continues further into the estate) uphill through some very boggy ground to Loch a' Choire Dhuibh. From the loch, the path then climbs very steeply up rough bouldery scree to the Bealach Mor on the main ridge of Suilven. From there, fantastic views both north (towards Quinag and Canisp), and south (towards Stac Pollaidh). After a rest, I turned right (west) along the ridge to Casteal Liath, the highest top of the mountain, which is a grassy dome with cliffs dropping away on 3 sides to the moorland below. Retracing my steps along the entertaining ridge, I continued past Bealach Mor and found a route to the top of Meall Mheadhonach ("the middle lump") threading through sandstone outcrops on the northern side. Meall Beag is the third (and eastern top) but it looked a bit tricky, and mindful of the long walk home, decided not to attempt it. So, back once again to Bealach Mor, slithered down the screes to regain the stalkers' path. A heavy shower appeared from nowhere on the way back, and was a very welcome refreshment of my hot and tired body! Eventually the car appeared on the horizon, and I was able to return to the (relatively) civilised world of our family tent at Achmelvich Bay campsite.
		*Suilven from Lochinver* Wherever you go around Lochinver, Suilven's proposterous domed summit pops into view! Here it is from the road a mile south of Lochinver.