After patient 4 month wait due to work schedule and poor weather my opportunity finally came about, my chance to climb one of Scotland’s most magnificent mountains.

The Area

Located within a remote corner of Wester Ross just south of Ullapool with Little Loch Broom to the north and Loch na Sealga to the south, the vast mass of An Teallach pretty much takes up the entire Strathnasheallag Forest in an area nicknamed ‘The Great Wilderness’.

I had hoped for Sunday 24th September to make the journey and climb but a last minute change to a day earlier meant a greater challenge than I would have liked. Great weather Saturday but poor Sunday was my reason to make the trip a day earlier but it meant quite the challenge, a challenge which would keep me out of bed and without sleep for 36 hours combined with 16 hours of driving and 7 hours walking/climbing.

Two days become one

My day really commenced at 7am Friday when my kids woke me up. My work that day took me up to Ft William and Oban. I returned home at 2am Saturday from Oban and completed a 13 hour shift, however instead of tucking myself into bed, I threw off my work gear and put on my climbing gear. Clothing, food, water was all quickly packed and I hit the road again by 2.40am en-route to Dundonnell some 217 miles and 4 hours away.

Route to Dundonnell

My route consisted of the usual A9 north to the Tore roundabout just beyond Inverness with a turnoff onto the A835 towards Ullapool. Just beyond beautiful Loch Glascarnoch I turned off onto the A832, the ‘Gairloch coastal route’ which provided exceptional views of distant An Teallach within this glorious wilderness on what was a fabulous clear, bright autumn morning. I eventually arrived and parked up in a layby just ahead of the Dundonnell hotel.

Weather

Weather was bright, breezy with very good visibility. On top of the munros it was very gusty, especially on the narrow summit tops. Temp 3-4C, wind chill likely -3 to -6C.

Ground fog just north of Inverness. Air temp 5C.

Loch Glascarnoch, one of Britain’s coldest areas.

An Teallach comes into view some 20-30 miles away!

Car parked at Dundonnell with Little Loch Broom behind.

Start point!

Despite my climb commencing some 24 hours since any sleep, I felt pretty good.

Leaving Dundonnell and Little Loch Broom behind.

The wilderness opens up… What a stunning place!

Hills north of Ullapool beginning to open up as well as The Minch.

Nice view of Suilven (near centre) which I climbed last September.

Getting windier in the exposure

Nearing the heart of An Teallach.

I finally reach the trig point on narrow, wind swept summit of 3,483ft Bidean a’Ghlas Thuill just under 3 hours after leaving the car. This is the highest of An Teallach’s 2 munros.

First glimpse of Sgurr Fiona and the pinnacles. The view most certainly didn’t disappoint…

Great view from Bidean a’Ghlas Thuill looking north along the West Coast and Summer Isles.

Looking south to Sgurr Fiona and the Pinnacles.

Reached the lowest point half way between Bidean a’Ghlas Thuilland Sgurr Fiona

Looking SSW over Loch na Sealga towards the Fisherfield and Torridon Hills.

About an hour after coming off Bidean a’Ghlas Thuill, I finally make it to the top of 3,476ft Sgurr Fiona

Great views of the Summer Isles, Minch and even Harris and Lewis.

Looking across to Bidean a’Ghlas Thuill from Sgurr Fiona

Looking down on Loch Toll Lochain.

Coming off Sgurr Fiona and back tracking around Bidean a’Ghlas Thuill towards Dundonnell.

After trudging through very boggy ground and over slippery rocks, I finally make it back at 2.45pm.

Done!

Arrived back at the house at 7pm just in time to put my daughter to bed. After some well earned hot food, I put my head down around 9pm.

FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: Visit Scotland

Tags: An Teallach, Dundonnell, Munro