I recently spent a week in the north of Scotland - staying in Lairg at the South East end of Loch Shin - it's a hotbed of Bronze Age remains which Mrs pdstsp is PhDing about. But I negotiated a pass out for the Thursday as I wasn't going all the way up there without a day in the hills. Suilven has always called so that was the aim. Up early and a foggy drive over, arriving in Lochinver shortly after dawn. Being early I got into the small car park near Glencanisp Lodge and was welcomed by a fellow walker who had overnighted - he was so full of praise for Suilven that my whetted appetite became even more whetted!
The walk in to the climb of Suilven is long, but is dominated by the gradually changing views of this amazing mountain.
And there are some pretty cool views of Loch Druim Suardalain too;
The approach is gently undulating, but Suilven makes some appearances - it's always there;
After a few miles the path forks, with the right fork being the approach to Suilven. This path has been improved over the last few years, apparently, by the John Muir Trust and has changed from a mudbath to a very well defined path. After a while the full might of Suilven unveils itself, and I found myself thinking "How on earth do I get up that".
But - if you look closely, there is a path approaching the dip in the middle - it zigzags to the left of the stream, before becoming more direct at height. It is steep but well made, and, as Suilven is not particularly high, it doesn't last long. And how it is worth it as the views open out to the North behind you.
Arrival at the col is spellbinding - one minute a wall of rock and grass in front of your nose, the next minute;
Here it is turn right to the main summit, or left to the second summit, Meall Meadhonach, which involves some scrambling. My aim was the main summit which is still 150 metres or so above;
I was feeling so elated here, the beauty is spellbinding. And, as I set off walking, look who came to say hello;
And, hiding behind the world's most pointless but incredible, dry stone wall, the rest of the family;
The climb to the summit is up here;
And in close up;
It is easier than it looks, winding through the rocks, with very little need for hands - maybe just for a bit of balance on a couple of occasions. There are a couple of little interesting bits - such as this. A beautiful climb, I wanted it to go on and on;
As the summit is approached the 360 degree views open out;
Looking back to Meall Meadhonach, the second summit;
The summit cairn;
And the view west - Harris in the distance;
I hung around for half and hour or so - just taking in the beauty of this place. And then the descent - back the way I came - a steep descent from the col;
I had shared the way up, and summit with a couple from Northern Ireland, and we had the place to ourselves. On the way down the rote was much busier, but everyone was in high spirits on such a beautiful day and in such a place as this. I promised myself I would climb Suilven, and having done so, I have promised myself I will return - it is a very special mountain.