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Corbetts
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Aonach Buidhe (899m)
Faochaig (868m)
Sguman Coinntich (879m)
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Ascent
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1850m (6,075ft)
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Distance
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33km (21m)
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Time
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walking : 11:20hr*, running : 5:10hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
West of Plockton and Kyle of Lochalsh, the three Corbetts of Aonach Buidhe, Faochaig and Sguman Coinntich guard the approaches to Affric, Monar and Cannich. A road heads up Glen Elchaig, from where the hills can be readily accessed. The hills can easily be bagged in separate outings, however a fine long day can be spent taking them all in. The broad grass covered slopes and summit plateaux make for easy going, however navigation can be tricky in mist. Views to Kintail, Torridon, Applecross and Skye are quite spectacular.
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profile
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location
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start/finish
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Killilan
(grid ref : NG940303)
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maps/guides
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GPX data
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download GPX file of this route
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| terrain |
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easy |
| difficult |
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| navigation |
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easy |
| testing |
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| effort |
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stroll |
| long day |
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| scenery |
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ok |
| stunning |
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| meanings |
Aonach Buidhe :
'yellow ridge'
Faochaig :
'the whelk'
Sguman Coinntich :
'mossy peak'
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
On the A87, 11km east of Kyle of Lochalsh, just outside of Dornie, a narrow road is marked towards Killilan. Head along this road for 8km to a bridge over the River Ling. Just beyond the bridge and over a cattle-grid, there is a parking area for several cars. Note this route passes through areas with livestock.
Aonach Buidhe
Leave the car-park behind and follow the road into Killilan Estate. At the phone box, turn right, cross the bridge and continue following the road to the keeper's house at Faddoch. Shortly beyond this, the road becomes a fine track and followed for 8km past Loch na Leitreach and the house and buildings at Carnach up to the small house of Iron Lodge. The track then becomes a decent path, which splits 350m further on. Take the right fork and cross the An Crom-allt via a bridge. At a convienient point, leave the path and head northwards directly uphill. The ascent is steep and pathless, but straightforward. Heather lower down gives way grassy ground higher up, from where it's an easy slog to Aonach Buidhe's summit.
Faochaig
Leave Aonach Buidhe's summit, head west to the western top, then drop west-south-west. Grass at first, then steep heather to meet a wall and rusty old iron posts traversing the bealach ahead. Cross the bealach and climb westwards up more heather. Above a flat area, the Leac na Nighinn - a narrow shoulder - is climbed to gain Faochaig's broad grass covered summit plateau, from where it's a 500m walk to the cairn on the top.
Sguman Coinntich
Drop 200m height heading southwards and pick up the undulating ground that climbs gently towards Sron na Gaoithe. Another bit of height is lost, followed by a gradual climb up grass covered terrain. The long summit is reached, with a cairn at the south-western end and stunning views.
Return
Leave the cairn, aim south-east, pass some rocks, then head directly downhill. Although pathless, the terrain is easy underfoot. Drop to a stalkers' path, turn west and follow the path down to Glen Elchaig and return along the road to Killilan.
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Faochaig from the south-east
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LAMM 2009 competitors running over Faochaig
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Aonach Buidhe from Faochaig
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LAMM competitors overnight stop at Carnach
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Sguman Coinntich from Sgurr an Airgid to the south
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Heading down the track through Glen Elchaig
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Sguman Coinntich zoomed in from Aonach Buidhe
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The Torridon mountains from Aonach Buidhe
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Heading up Faochaig
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Aonach Buidhe from Faochaig
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Sron na Gaoithe and Sguman Coinntich from Faochaig
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Sunset over Beinn Sgritheall from Sguman Coinntich
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Take your pick for shorter days on these hills
Falls of Glomach Ascent : 650m, distance : 21km
One of the highest waterfalls in Britain !
Alternative tracks up and down for shorter routes
Direct route up Sguman Coinntich - Just beyond the phone box in Killilan, leave the road and follow a track heading north-east. Reaching a building, turn right and continue on a path uphill for 1km. Leave the path, cross the Allt a'Choire Mhoir and aim direct for Sguman Coinntich's summit.
Direct route up Faochaig - From the buildings at Carnach, a fine stalkers' track heads north-west following the east bank of the Allt Domhain. Higher up the track reaches wet grass covered ground, from where it's an easy slog up to Faochaig
Tracked route up Aonach Buidhe - Beyond Iron Lodge, the track becomes a path, then splits as described in the main route. Instead of taking the right fork, take the left fork and follow the path up aiming northwards. On approaching the bealach between Faochaig and Aonach Buidhe and before meeting the rusty old fence-posts, look eastwards and a fairly recently constructed track can be seen travelling up hill. Follow this track for a bit, then cross grass covered ground to Aonach Buidhe's summit.
Falls of Glomach
Ascent : 650m, distance : 21km
One of the highest waterfalls in Britain, the spectacular Falls of Glomach are in National Trust for Scotland's care and are accessed from Strath Croe to the south-west (see the Kintail route) or Glen Elchaig.
To access the falls from Glen Elchaig, head from Killilan towards Loch na Leitreach as described in the main route. Upon nearing the loch, a bridge can be seen crossing the River Elchaig. Cross the bridge and follow a path to another bridge 500m on, then continue uphill. Although the waterfall is one of the highest in the country at over 100m, it's drop is broken into two sections. Care should be taken on the approach !
North
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Monar
Varied terrain and peaks with excellent views to Torridon and Skye. Accessed by good tracks
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East
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Mullardoch Munros
12 munros above beautiful Loch Affic and Loch Mullardoch. Can be done in one long day or split into 3 or 4 outings
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South
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Kintail
The iconic Five Sisters of Kintail and their 7 other neighbouring munros and 2 corbetts all described in detail
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South-west
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Above Glenelg and Arnisdale
A sea-level start and steep path make for a good stiff munro. Easily extended to include the neighbouring corbetts
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North-west
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Applecross Corbetts
Dramatic cliffs, buttresses and dark coires of the Applecross Corbetts guard access to the Applecross peninsula. Stunning views in all directions.
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| Hotels |
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Glenelg Inn
Located in the village of Glenelg, the inn is an old Coaching Mews, overlooking the Isle of Skye. Their traditional bar offers a wide selection of beers and spirits and is a popular meeting place with the locals.
www.glenelg-inn.com
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Dornie Hotel
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Cluanie Inn
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Kintail Lodge Hotel
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Campsites,
Self Catering
& Hostels |
SYHA Ratagan Hostel
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Moyle Campsite
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Shiel Bridge Campsite
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Ardelve Campsite
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