Quinag
| Quinag | |||
| Sutherland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Quinag beyond Loch Assynt | |||
| Range: | Assynt | ||
| Summit: | 2,651 feet NC209292 58°12’54"N, 5°3’2"W | ||
Quinag (pronounced ˈkʊnjæɡ) is a mountain of 2,651 feet in the parish of Assynt in Sutherland. It is a massif with an undulating series of peaks along its Y-shaped crest, with three distinct peaks, each accorded full 'Corbett' status:
- Sàil Ghorm ('Blue Heel'; 2,546 feet; s̪aːl ɣɔɾɔm);
- Sàil Gharbh ('Rough Heel'; 2,651 feet; s̪aːl ɣaɾav) and
- Spidean Coinich ('Mossy Peak'; 2,506 feet; s̪b̊id̊ʲan kɤɲɪç).
The mountain is known in the local Gaelic as A’ Chuineag,; "the milking pail", reflecting its distinctive shape. The name 'Quinag' is an Anglicisation of Cuinneag.
Geologically, Quinag is made of Torridonian sandstone, resting on a substrate of Lewisian gneiss. The highest peaks are capped by a thin skin of Cambrian quartzites with the gentle eastern slope of Spidean Coinich being a dip slope formed along the quartzite beds. The massif is an excellent place to appreciate the relationship between these three major rock units of the North West Highlands.
Ascent
From the north and from the road crossing the Kylesku Bridge, Quinag presents a formidable sight with its two huge buttresses of Sàil Gharbh and Sàil Ghorm dominating the skyline. It provides a backdrop to Loch Assynt, and seen from the road coming from the village of Lochinver, Quinag stretches as far as the eye can see. Spidean Coinich projects a broad south-east ridge which provides the usual ascent route for walkers.
The 8,400-acre Quinag Estate was purchased by the John Muir Trust in 2005. Quinag and Glencanisp estates share ownership of Loch Assynt.
Remnants of ancient woodland comprising birch, rowan, hazel, wych elm, aspen and oak are scattered throughout the northern side of the mountain particularly in the deep gulleys and sheltered situations near the seashore.
In literature
Quinag is mentioned in Iain Banks's last novel The Steep Approach to Garbadale (2007) as lying just west of the estate of that name.