An Teallach - the Forge
Two days after I was high on Ladhar Bheinn, I had another good mountain day on An Teallach. This a massif south of Dundonnell in Wester Ross, and again a superb wild place. The above shot is of from left to right; Sail Liath, Stob Cadha Goblach, the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnalces and Sgurr Fiona, taken from the highest summit Bidein a'Glas Thuill (1062m).
Loch Toll an Lochan lies deep in its corrie on the east side of the range.
And over on the west, lie the Fisherfield hills, with Beinn Dearg Mor guarding Gleann na Muice.
The pinnacles of Corrag Bhuidhe make a striking jagged edge to the route around the tops, with looming depths on either side, especially into the lochan corrie.
It is being up high on such rocky ground that makes being in wild places like this so special.
Lord Berkely's Seat, an overhanging pinnacle on the crest of the ridge, is a particularly halting point when one looks down from that thin top.
Fortunately most of the ridge is walkable, or rather scramble-able, with a bit of climbing, and views out over the surrounding hills and glens come around every hidden bend or rise.
The pinnacles are quite wide on top in places, oh, about a full metre wide, with some tricky foot placements. And if you are lucky enough to get one, a strong cross-wind adds excitement.
These are all anthopocentric terms of course. The local wildlife, such as this pair of ptarmigan, they are unperturbed in their natural habitat, where they live all year round. What a life they have. I had to drop down in the afternoon for food and shelter.
The view looking back around the ridge from Sail Liath, to Bidein a'Glas Thuill.
I have been on this hill several times, I tried to re-count while up there, but I can't remember exactly as I didn't do all the tops on all the trips. But I do know I will go back at least once more. Well, this is one of the most dramatic hills in one of the wildest places in Scotland after all.
