Ben Loyal - An Caisteal

Ben Loyal – An Caisteal

The mountain

An Caisteal is the 764.2 m high point of Ben Loyal, a Corbett south of Tongue in Sutherland. Ben Loyal is a broad, multi-topped massif, with rocky tors and extensive views. The surveyed summit is a rock slab 7 m east of the trig point; Sgor Chaonasaid and Beinn Bheag are lower tops, not the main summit.

Walking routes

Start the usual northern approach at the Ribigill track parking area, NC584546 (also recorded as NC584547). The approach changes from farm track to very boggy ground near Cunside. Allt Lon Malmsgaig must be forded: the footbridge shown on older maps does not exist. Do not attempt the crossing when unsafe, and remember that water may rise before the return.

The ascent towards the ridge is steep and partly pathless. Approach An Caisteal from the west/northwest for the short scramble onto its tor. Other faces have serious crags. The simplest return retraces the ascent to Ribigill.

• An Caisteal out and back: Walkhighlands gives 13.75 km, 804 m ascent and 5.5–6.5 hours.
• Beinn Bheag extension: Scotland Off the Beaten Track describes a 15 km, 800 m ascent, 5.5–6.5-hour out-and-back over Sgor Chaonasaid and An Caisteal to Beinn Bheag. Return by the outward route, with repeated subsidiary tops bypassed where appropriate.
• Full western circuit: UKHillwalking describes 17.4 km, 848 m ascent and 7.5–8.5 hours, continuing to Carn an Tionail and returning past Loch Fhionnaich and the woods to Cunside. Its steep, pathless, crag-avoiding descent is for experienced hillwalkers with good navigation. This is a different and harder itinerary than the summit return.

Terrain and conditions

Expect prolonged wet and boggy ground, unbridged burns, steep grass and heather, faint paths and rocky summit ground. Cloud can make both navigation and the correct summit approach hard to identify. Snow, ice and wind increase the seriousness of slopes and scrambling. Winter conditions require appropriate equipment and skills; allow sufficient daylight and check the mountain forecast.

Geology, names and views

The massif is chiefly quartz syenite, part of the Loch Loyal Syenite Complex, intruded into the surrounding Moine rocks. In clear conditions the ridge overlooks the Kyle of Tongue, northern coast, Loch Loyal, Ben Hope and Ben Klibreck.

An Caisteal is Gaelic for “the castle”. Beinn Laghail probably derives from the Norse for “law mountain”. Local folklore links the name to the proclamation of laws, but this should not be treated as established historical evidence.

Access and facilities

Keep farm access clear at Ribigill. No bus reaches the trailhead; infrequent services reach Tongue, so plan the additional road walk and check the current return timetable. Tongue has public toilets. Bring food and water for the hill.