Ben More Coigach
Encyclopedia
Ben Mor Coigach is a long, table shaped mountain in the far north west of Scotland
. It dominates the Coigach
peninsula, in the county of Ross and Cromarty
, 10 kilometres north-west of the town of Ullapool
. It reaches a height of 743 metres (2438 feet). Its coastal location, combined with its high topographic prominence
to height ratio, make it a very good viewpoint.
It is a Scottish Wildlife Trust
nature reserve.
From Bleughasary, follow a land rover track (not shown on the OS map) as far as Loch Eadar dha Bheinn, then pass the outflow east of the loch and head up onto the east ridge. From here the route passes over the Speicin Coinnich and onto a large and flat summit area. The Speicin Coinnich is quite exposed but not as steep as it may appear from below.
A better starting point, albeit one requiring a longer drive in, may be Culnacraig. From here, follow the line of a long ridge towards the summit of Sgurr an Fhidhleir (the Fiddler). This summit can either be included, or traversed via its south face, before the final ascent of Ben Mor Coigach from the north east. More direct routes are possible but appear to be steep and stony. Several more summits, forming a horseshoe ridge, can be included.
to Strathcanaird. The maps and signposts imply that the relevant stretch is about six miles long, but the warnings under the signposts do not do justice to its dangers. Even a fit walker may struggle to complete this leg in less than four hours, and most walkers should allow considerably more time, depending on fitness and the weather. There is no path along much of this route, there is only an incomplete and inadequate series of cairns and arrowed posts. It is hard to avoid straying from the route. Scrambling
is required in several places, and some of these are exposed to sea cliffs. There are several unbridged crossings of fast flowing streams which may be difficult or even impossible in spate conditions. Bogs contribute further to the difficulties. Despite its low altitude, this route is steep and regarded as a true mountain experience. It is so named because it was used by postmen before the village of Achiltibuie was connected to the road network.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It dominates the Coigach
Coigach
Coigach today refers to the peninsula "beyond the big rock" north of Ullapool, in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. Anciently till changes in civil registration districts in 1857 the Barony also included Isle Martin, the lands down to Corrie beyond Ullapool, the various farms of...
peninsula, in the county of Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty is a variously defined area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is a registration county and a lieutenancy area in current use...
, 10 kilometres north-west of the town of Ullapool
Ullapool
Ullapool is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland. The North Atlantic Drift passes by Ullapool, bringing moderate temperatures...
. It reaches a height of 743 metres (2438 feet). Its coastal location, combined with its high topographic prominence
Topographic prominence
In topography, prominence, also known as autonomous height, relative height, shoulder drop , or prime factor , categorizes the height of the mountain's or hill's summit by the elevation between it and the lowest contour line encircling it and no higher summit...
to height ratio, make it a very good viewpoint.
It is a Scottish Wildlife Trust
Scottish Wildlife Trust
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a registered charity dedicated to conserving the wildlife and natural environment of Scotland.-Description:The Scottish Wildlife Trust has over 32,800 members...
nature reserve.
Ascents
Ben Mor Coigach can be climbed from Bleughasary (where there is a car park) to the south east or from Culnacraig to the south west.From Bleughasary, follow a land rover track (not shown on the OS map) as far as Loch Eadar dha Bheinn, then pass the outflow east of the loch and head up onto the east ridge. From here the route passes over the Speicin Coinnich and onto a large and flat summit area. The Speicin Coinnich is quite exposed but not as steep as it may appear from below.
A better starting point, albeit one requiring a longer drive in, may be Culnacraig. From here, follow the line of a long ridge towards the summit of Sgurr an Fhidhleir (the Fiddler). This summit can either be included, or traversed via its south face, before the final ascent of Ben Mor Coigach from the north east. More direct routes are possible but appear to be steep and stony. Several more summits, forming a horseshoe ridge, can be included.
The Postman's Path
Some walkers may be tempted to ascend from one of the above mentioned starting points, then descend to the other before completing the tour on part of the "postman's path" along the coast from AchiltibuieAchiltibuie
Achiltibuie is a long linear village in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, on the Coigach coast of northwestern Scotland, overlooking Badentarbet Bay to the west. Loch Broom and the Summer Isles also lie to the west. Located 10 miles northwest of Ullapool, Achiltibuie is home to the Hydroponicum, a...
to Strathcanaird. The maps and signposts imply that the relevant stretch is about six miles long, but the warnings under the signposts do not do justice to its dangers. Even a fit walker may struggle to complete this leg in less than four hours, and most walkers should allow considerably more time, depending on fitness and the weather. There is no path along much of this route, there is only an incomplete and inadequate series of cairns and arrowed posts. It is hard to avoid straying from the route. Scrambling
Scrambling
Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hillwalking and rock climbing. It is often distinguished from hillwalking by defining a scramble as a route where hands must be used in the ascent...
is required in several places, and some of these are exposed to sea cliffs. There are several unbridged crossings of fast flowing streams which may be difficult or even impossible in spate conditions. Bogs contribute further to the difficulties. Despite its low altitude, this route is steep and regarded as a true mountain experience. It is so named because it was used by postmen before the village of Achiltibuie was connected to the road network.