An Caisteal, Ben Loyal

Height	764.2m
Prominence	609m
Meaning	the castle
Lists	Corbetts, 217
Location	Loch Eribol to Loch Naver, Loch Shin to the Pentland Firth
Grid Ref	NC578488
Lat/Lon	58.40493, -4.43504

Just south of the village of Tongue, and just a stones throw off the NC500, Ben Loyal, the 'Queen of Scottish Peaks' is a dramatic and isolated mountain standing above the lochan pitted landscapes of the 'Flow Country'. A very prominant mountain, particularly when viewed from the north and west, Ben Loyal's remarkable outline of crags and cliffs belies its modest height, which just scrapes into Corbett's list.

The most popular route up Ben Loyal heads in from Ribigill Farm just south of Tongue. This routes follows farm roads and rough tracks to Ben Loyal's foot from where a trudge up heather and grass gains the mountain's grass-covered crest.

Sacrificing viewing Ben Loyal's fine northern aspect, another approach heads in from Loch Loyal to the east. This route to Ben Loyal's crest is shorter, quieter and has less ascent than the approach from the north.

Ben Loyal's summit crest is a vast expanse of grass with summits dotted here and there. An Caisteal is the highest point on the mountain, which requires a bit of care to bag, particularly if rock is wet.

Routes up An Caisteal, Ben Loyal

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Ben Loyal from Ribigill
	Hillwalking route to An Caisteal on Ben Loyal from Ribigill near Tongue, with fine views of Ben Loyal’s spurs before grassy crests link the granite peaks. Peaks : 1 Corbett Ascent : 975m (3200ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 5:15hr

Ben Loyal from Loch Loyal
	Hillwalking route to An Caisteal on Ben Loyal from Loch Loyal. A quiet approach avoiding farmland leads to a circular hike over the granite peaks. Peaks : 1 Corbett Ascent : 775m (2540ft) Distance : 10km (6m) Time : 3:50hr

Nearby hills and mountains

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