Fuar Tholl
| Fuar Tholl | |||
| Ross-shire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 View from the adjoining Munro of Sgorr Ruadh a mile to the NW. | |||
| Range: | Torridon Hills | ||
| Summit: | 2,976 feet NG975489 57°29’6"N, 5°22’48"W | ||
Fuar Tholl is a mountain in Ross-shire, found amongst the Torridon Hills, and within the Coulin deer forest 13 miles south-west of Achnasheen in Wester Ross.
Overview
Fuar Tholl has a rocky summit, and has acquired the nickname Wellington's Nose because the summit ridge is similar in profile to an upturned face which bears a supposed likeness to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. The considerable nose on the face is provided the tip of the Mainreachan Buttress which can just be seen over the outline of the main summit. Fuar Tholl reaches a height of 2,976 feet, making it one the highest of the 'Corbetts'.[1]
Fuar Tholl fails to reach Munro status by just 23 feet; nevertheless it is regarded by many as the finest of the mountains in the Glen Carron area.[2]
The mountain's name translates from the Gaelic language as “Cold Hole”. It was probably named by ancient settlers in Glen Carron and refers to the deep eastern corrie which is shaded from sunlight and faces that glen.[3]
Geography
Fuar Tholl’s best feature is the rough stone filled Coire Mainnrichean on the western side of the mountain, which has the spectacular 500-foot high cliffs of the Mainreachan Buttress within it. The buttress is one of the finest ice climbing venues in the Highlands, amongst which Andy Nisbet[4] pioneered many of the routes.
The 1,000-yard long summit ridge has three high points, the main top at 2,976 feet is marked by a trig point and is situated at the eastern end of the ridge above the eastern corrie which gives the mountain its name. The top of the Mainreachan Buttress is the second top with a height of 2,936 feet while the third peak is Creag Mainnrichean at the western end of the summit ridge with a height of 2,812 feet.[5]
Ascents
The hill is close to both the A890 road and the Kyle of Lochalsh railway line. The most common route of ascent starts from Achnashellach station, initially following the right-of-way to Torridon. After a little over a mile another path leads off to the left, heading for the bealach between Fuar Tholl and Sgorr Ruadh. From here the summit may be reached by way of a steep and somewhat loose path. There are a number of other possible routes from the south; they are usually utilised for descent, allowing a circular route to be undertaken
Fuar Tholl may also be climbed as part of a circuit of Corrie Lair, taking in two Munros: Sgorr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mhòr.[6]
References
- ↑ www.scotclimb.org.uk. Gives list of Corbetts in height order.
- ↑ "100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains", Ralph Storer, ISBN 0-7515-0300-2 Pages 135 “Fuar Tholl .... is the finest mountain in the area”.
- ↑ "The Call Of The Corbetts", Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0-7153-2754-2 Page 41 Gives details of name translation and meaning.
- ↑ Andy Nisbet
- ↑ "Climbing The Corbetts", Hamish Brown, ISBN 1-898573-08-5 Page 283 Gives geographical details on mountain.
- ↑ "The Corbetts And Other Scottish Hills", Scottish Mountaineering Club, ISBN 0-907521-29-0 Page 179 Gives geographical and route information.