Hill:
Suilven (Pillar Mountain)
Type:
Graham
Height:
731m
 |
| Suilven from the drive not the side we climbed |
I
was very much looking forward to this one as we headed out for the
ascent of the iconic Suilven. Known as one of the most iconic and
best mountains in Scotland. The weather was also brighter, blue
skies, white clouds but with the prospect of showers.
A
tarmac walk to Glencanisp lodge alongside the idyllic Loch Druim
Suardalain. where some lucky people were out fishing. If not on this
walk I would liked to have been one of them.
With
the ADRC group today so plenty of time to move up and down the file
talking to people.
 |
| Long way away |
 |
| Still on track |
 |
| Canisp on the left |
After
the tarmac there is a long section of a well constructed but
frequently boggy track. The views are superb as the looming bulk of
Suilven’s Caisteal Liath swells in size with the question ‘how on
earth do we get up that’?
Further
on the landscape opens up to include the Corbett of Canisp. From this
side it has a proper mountain structure with a long ridge and a
pointed top. From the other, the normal ascent route, it is a rounded
whaleback.
The
main track ends for us as we cut off on a side track, ascending
gently as we aim for the two lochans that sit below the bulk of the
hill, aiming to pass between them.
 |
| Full profile |
 |
| Good view but not there yet |
 |
| Ascent is gully in middle of photo |
The
lochans reached and we observe the faint markings of a track zig
zagging up and then through the gorge. Looking both impressive and
very steep. We talk to a sole walker who took a vertigo dislike half
way up and returned, now waiting for his party to rejoin him, could
be a long wait.
The
skies had greyed and a heavy shower came on as we started the ascent,
sods law for the steepest section.
 |
| Nearing the top |
To
be fair the track is actually narrow and very steep, some hands on
the rocks required to haul us up, particularly those with short legs.
But overall it was good going, the descent might be otherwise.
With
relief we pull onto the flat section where the views open up over the
other Assynt stacks, impressive.
 |
| Caisteal Liath |
But
this is not the top. Another steep rock section, more hands on light
scrambling, with some airy steps before the final grassy top of
Caisteal Liath is reached.
 |
| Cul Mor left, Stac Pollaidh right, Coigath middle |
 |
| Iconic south top |
For
all its massive bulk this is a narrow top but plenty of room for us.
More very impressive views giving great panoramas over the Assynt
range and beyond over the water the Western Isles could just be seen.
 |
| The famine wall still intact |
Time
to descend with the impressive southern peaks of Suilven, serious
scramblers only. The amazing wall still largely intact built as a
vanity project by the famine stricken workers on behalf of the rich
landowner.
 |
| Start of the descent cracking view |
 |
| Rainbow appeared |
Despite
the earlier rain the descent gave vertigo inducing views back down
was actually better than expected, no dramas.
A
long trek back to the cars to complete an epic walk, another one off
my bucket list. A cracking day out in excellent company.
Ascent:
730m
Distance:
10.6km
Time:
8.01
Wildlife:
Raven; Common Sandpiper; Grey Heron
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