A' Mhaighdean
| A' Mhaighdean | |||
| Ross-shire | |||
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| Range: | Fisherfield Forest | ||
| Summit: | 3,173 feet NH007749 57°43’10"N, 5°20’53"W | ||
A' Mhaighdean is a mountain in the Fisherfield Forest in western Ross-shire, reaching a height of 3,173 feet at its summit and duly qualifying as a Munro. It stands at the north-west end of Lochan Fada.
This and its neighbouring Munro, Ruadh Stac Mòr are perhaps the least accessible of all the Munros, surrounded by wild country. A' Mhaighdean is eight miles north of Kinlochewe but most easily accessible from Poolewe, taking a private road on foot south-east to Kernsary.
The mountain is composed of gneiss, the summit presenting the highest elevation of the Lewisian. Part of the north-west ridge is capped by Torridonian sandstone.
Ascent
Deep within the hills of the Fisherfield Forest, A' Mhaighdean and Ruadh Stac Mòr are amongst the remotest of Munros. It would be usual to climb the two together, as the effort to pentrate the Fairfield Forest this deep will not be done twice.
Starting from Poolewe, one may take a private road on foot or by bicycle south-east to Kernsary, which is a very long walk through the moorland. A good track then leads to the causeway between the Fionn Loch and Loch Dubh. Follow the path eastwards to approximately 1,000-foot level and cross the Allt Bruthach an Esain to gain the north-west ridge of the mountain.
The faces of the hill are mostly steep and craggy particularly on the southern slopes which are bitten into by several corries. From the summit two parallel ridges run east to a high col before joining up with Ruadh Stac Mòr. A ridge also runs north-west to the head of Dubh Loch this is a common route of ascent.
A wide south-west ridge runs to a low col between here and another Munro, Beinn Tarsuinn, though this traverse is not really feasible while bagging A' Mhaighdean and is usually tackled on a separate expedition, with the rest of the eastern Fisherfield Munros.
Summit
From the summit the remote and untamed nature of this area can be properly appreciated. The views to the west are truly sensational.
| Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 14 - Loch Maree to Loch Broom |
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A' Chailleach • A' Mhaighdean • An Coileachan • Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich • Beinn Tarsuinn • Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill • Fionn Bheinn • Meall a' Chrasgaidh • Meall Gorm • Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair • Ruadh Stac Mòr • Sgùrr Bàn • Sgùrr Breac • Sgùrr Fiona • Sgùrr Mòr • Sgùrr nan Clach Geala • Sgùrr nan Each • Slioch |
