Sàil Mhòr

A particularly dreich start to the day and similar forecast scuppered plans for a traverse of An Teallach so our agreed alternative was the Corbett of Sàil Mhòr.

Starting from Ardessie on the shore of Little Loch Broom after hastily applying repellent and donning midge nets, we followed the east bank of Allt Airdeasaidh past the impressively eye-catching falls over the sandstone slabs.  One large block on the far side looked as if its perch wouldn’t be lasting much longer.  The meandering path came perilously close to the edge of some large landslips and I’m convinced that it sometimes went over the tops of some peat “cornices”!

At the first tributary flowing into the Allt from the slopes of Sàil Mhòr we started looking for a good point to cross the river which was thankfully not in spate.  There was no obvious crossing point and we reached the far bank one by one but a rather vocal member of our group needed a bit more help which was given by a gallant gentleman who had to empty his boots as a result of his chivalry.

After following the tributary westwards and uphill we reached some boulders successfully enticing us to stop for lunch before taking aim for the col between Sàil Mhòr and Ruigh Mheallaindh and then striking out for the southeast spur of Sàil Mhòr.  Foreshortening made the slope look more challenging than it actually was.

The ascent was made easy by the stepped nature of some exposed sandstone bedrock and short vegetation with many welcome rakes and terraces aiding a traditional zig-zagging approach.  For such an incline it was unusual to see so many frogs, only catching the eye as they hopped away from the vibrations caused by our approaching footsteps.

Remaining firmly in the clag, we reached the top of the spur at a mini-summit before a short walk to the 700 metre contour.  Easy ground curved around to the summit of Sàil Mhòr where we took a couple of quick photos of our bedraggled group at the modest cairn before we quickly made our way down the south ridge which was exposed to the wind that we hadn’t encountered on the ascent.  A small group of four feral goats was seen briefly before they disappeared towards Lochan Gaineamhaich and we turned eastwards, heading out via the way we had come in.

As we descended, a very big flock of feral goats was spotted on the slope we ascended.  There must have been over 40 or 50 of them and some of them were huge, with similarly impressive horns.  Most were black or dark brown with occasional hindquarters with white flashes although we spotted as least two with the colouring of Belted Galloway cattle.

We carried on down to the Allt Airdeasaidh; this time the river crossing was absent of the familiar “colourful” language!  And then the foot-weary trudge in drizzle back to the cars.

The suggestion to drive to the Dundonnell Hotel for refreshments required little debate and we were soon relaxing on comfy seating with our drinks of choice (I recommend the Belhaven Black) reminiscing the events of the day.