📌 Assynt, Highland
★★★★★
As if Assynt’s fantastic scenery isn’t distraction enough, the region has its own fidget spinner in the name of Quinag (Milk Pail): a complex massif of summits and ridges which from above looks curiously like the popular child’s toy. And when standing on the ridge itself it’s even better; there are entertainingly airy crests, scrambly rock outcrops, breathtaking vistas of moorland and ocean, and broader, sweeping ridges as legs tire later in the day. Three peaks gain Corbett status, but several other unnamed (and unavoidable) summits mean the next steep ascent is never far away. Luckily the John Muir Trust have done an excellent job in upgrading paths in key places, including improving what would otherwise be a boggy trial at the start and end of the walk. All in all, another astounding Assynt ascent – in fact possibly the area’s very best.
📷 Chronological photo guide
View ahead to Quinag at the start of the day 
Ascending Spidean Còinich 
Fabulous views over Quinag’s many ridges from Spidean Còinich 
Lochan Bealach Cornaidh below Sàil Gharbh (left) 
Lochan Ruadh looking north to a minor top 
Route to Sàil Ghorm 
View back to Spidean Còinich 
Kylesku Bridge 
Bàthaich Cuinneige 
Rocky outlook on the way to Sàil Ghorm 
Sàil Gharbh from Sàil Ghorm 
Sàil Gharbh 
Spidean Còinich from Sàil Gharbh 
Sàil Gharbh summit 
Walk out from the coire 
Frog on the lower slopes
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on the A894 3 mi north of Loch Assynt
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NC 233274
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.199685,-5.008687
❌ Extremely infrequent buses pass the start, but there is no stop
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 1130 m | ⌛ 7-8 hr
Features: △ Spidean Còinich (764 m, Corbett); △ Sàil Ghorm (776 m, Corbett); △ Sàil Gharbh (809 m, Corbett)
⬤ Tough | Mostly clear, rough and rocky paths with only simple short scrambly sections. Ascent of Spidean Còinich is on bare rock; just a little bog on descent.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit with extensions to Sàil Ghorm & Sàil Garbh: start – Spidean Còinich by east ridge – Sàil Ghorm by south ridge – return to 🧭 NC 200291 – Sàil Gharbh by west ridge – return to 🧭 NC 205290 – north side of Lochan Bealach Cornaidh – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Red grouse and chicks near car park, mountain hare, frogs and hairy caterpillars.
Weather: Dry and often sunny with temperature in low teens at base; heavy showers on surrounding hills.
July 2017
