Beinn an Eòin, Coigach

Sandstone Fiona overlooking Loch Lurgainn in Coigach, with a long rocky crest, minor summits and wide views despite its modest height.

Beinn an Eòin, Coigach

Height	619m
Prominence	355m
Meaning	mountain of the bird
Lists	Fionas (F206)
Location	Coigach and Inverpolly, Coigach and Assynt
Grid Ref	NC104064
Lat/Lon	58.00656, -5.20899

Beinn an Eòin is a distinctive Fiona/Graham rising above the southern end of Loch Lurgainn in Coigach, sitting in the shadow of larger Ben More Coigach. Formed of sandstone and largely heather-clad on its lower slopes, the hill has a character that is more rugged than its modest height might suggest.

The hill’s defining feature is its long, gently undulating crest, which extends westwards from the rocky prominence of Cioch Beinn an Eòin above Loch Lurgainn to the summit, which sits only a few metres above the Fiona height threshold. North of the summit, the crest continues over the minor top of Sgòrr Deas before dropping to a bealach containing a small lochan, beyond which rises the second subsidiary summit of Sgòrr Tuath.

Despite its relatively low elevation, Beinn an Eòin offers wide-ranging views across Coigach, with Loch Lurgainn and its surrounding lochans below, the Assynt hills to the north, and the dramatic sandstone architecture of Ben More Coigach dominating the skyline to the west and south.

Although Beinn an Eoin lies close to Ben More Coigach, the sheer cliffs and buttresses that drop from that mountain make any direct link impractical. As a result, Beinn an Eoin is likely to be climbed as a stand-alone hill.

With Loch Lurgainn and its extensions — Loch Bad na h-Achlaise and Loch Bad a’ Ghaill — enclosing the hill on its northern and eastern sides, the only realistic approaches begin from the southern end of Loch Lurgainn. From here, a straightforward out-and-back ascent makes for a fine short outing, using faint paths and deer trods to reach the ridge and summit. The walk can be extended into a longer circuit by continuing over the minor summits of Sgòrr Deas and Sgòrr Tuath before returning via Coire Beinn an Eòin.

Routes up Beinn an Eòin

Beinn an Eòin from Loch Lurgainn
	Quiet Coigach hillwalk on Beinn an Eòin from Loch Lurgainn, with gentle ascent, deer-trods, sandstone crags and superb views over northern Coigach. Peaks : 1 Fiona/Graham Ascent : 720m (2360ft) Distance : 10km (6m) Time : 3:45hr