Assynt, Highland
★★★★
The landscape of Assynt contains the most amazing landforms in Scotland: remarkable, spectacular hills standing proud and alone among a labyrinth of lochs and bogs. Suilven (Pillar Hill) has surely the most unlikely shape of them all: an abrupt dome when seen from the coast tapering to a stegosaurus-like ridge behind. The summit lies in the middle of a vast moorland miles from civilisation, but stalkers paths (excellent on the north side, boggy on the south side) make a superb circuit achievable in a long day, with stunning scenery throughout – there’s also an open bothy to break the journey overnight if daylight hours are limited.
Chronological photo guide
Location
Start / finish on south side of Culag Woods, minor road 1 mi south of Lochinver. Several alternative start points elsewhere along circuit – see map
O.S. Grid Reference: NC 093214
GPS coordinates: 58.140822,-5.241331
Extremely infrequent bus to start (marginally better service to Lochinver, elsewhere on route)
Car park
Key info
29 km / 18 mi | ▲ 1430 m |
10-12 hr
Features:
Culag Woods ★★★;
Lochinver ★★; △ Suilven (731 m, “Torbett”);
Fionn Loch;
Falls of Kirkaig ★★★★;
Inverkirkaig bay
⬤ Very tough | Good paths and tracks through Culag Woods and from Glencanisp Lodge to foot of Suilven. Ascent to and descent from ridge is steep with only one short boggy section, with a few very easy scrambles. Walk out from Suilven is boggy, though tends to improve over the miles. Quiet tarmac roads for remainder. No pathless sections.
Clockwise circuit: start – Culag Woods – Lochinver – Glencanisp Lodge – Suileag Bothy – path junction at
NC 168196 – Bealach Mòr – Suilven summit – return to bealach – Fionn Loch by Allt an Fearna – Falls of Kirkaig (short detour to falls) – Inverkirkaig – start




















On our last visit
Wildlife: A few red deer, lizards, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and hairy caterpillars. Sheep with lambs on the road section. Large fish trying to leap the Falls of Kirkaig!
Weather: Mostly cloudy at start but becoming increasingly sunny. Light winds, temperature at base in mid teens.
July 2017