Get Lost Mountaineering

Sail Mhor from Ardessie

Start/Finish

Bridge below the waterfalls at Ardessie. Parking is very limited close by and it may be necessary to park some distance to the W. Ardessie is on the A832 road between Laide and Dundonnell.

Distance/Time

12 km.   About 6 hours.

Peaks

Sail Mhor, 767 m, NH 033 887.     OS sheet 19: Gairloch & Ullapool.

Introduction

Sail Mhor is a very distinctive mountain to the north west of An Teallach. It appears to be ringed by cliffs on most sides but is easy to ascned although strenuous as one starts at sea level. It has excellent coastal views as well as to An Teallach and other mountains in Fisherfield not to mention Beinn Ghoblach across Little Loch Broom. The waterfalls are quite spectacular even in a dry spell. The path goes up the E side of the falls meaning that the river has to be crossed higher up. This can be very difficult except in a dry spell so it may be necessary to ascend the W side of the falls in such circumstances.

Route

(1) Walk up the path on the E side of the falls until flatter ground is reached and the river becomes quite wide. The path soon peters out so continue on a fainter path until the stream draining the shallow corrie to the S of Sail Mhor is reached. Cross the river and follow this stream up. Before reaching the col between Sail Mhor and Ruigh Mheallan, turn right and ascend the crest on the right, E, of the corrie to the SE of Sail Mhor. Follow this up and round to the summit plateau on easy but often stony ground On the highest area, a shelter cairn is met first followed by a medium cairn which seems higher and this is the summit of Sail Mhor, 767 m.

(2) Descend the S ridge as if going to Ruigh Mheallan but go SE then E before the col and descend the grassy corrie back to the river and path down to Ardessie.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 9^th May, 2017, and about 15 years earlier.