Maol Chean-dearg

Maol Cheann-dearg is a Munro in the Northwest Highlands, standing between Upper Loch Torridon and Loch Carron in Wester Ross. It rises to 933 metres and is separated from nearby Munros by a low col of 420 metres. The mountain’s dome-shaped summit is covered in red sandstone boulders with little vegetation, giving it the name ‘red-headed brow’. Its steep flanks are strewn with rocks typical of the region’s sandstone and quartzite geology. The mountain lies within the Coulags deer forest and is distinct from another Munro of a similar name in Glen Shiel. The ascent offers well-made stalkers’ paths that form a circuit around the mountain. Walkers can follow these paths to see sandstone cliffs and lochs such as Loch an Eion, Loch Coire an Ruadh-staic and Loch Coire Fionnaraich. These lochs attract interesting wild birds and provide scenic views. Strong walkers can extend the route to include the neighbouring Corbett of An Ruadh-stac, two kilometres to the south. The climb usually starts from Coulags on the A890 road in Glen Carron, where parking is available in a disused gravel pit. The route follows the Fionn-amhainn valley northwards, passing the MBA bothy at Coire Fionnaraich. A short distance further lies the Clach nan Con-fionn, a standing stone linked to the legend of Fionn mac Cumhaill. The path then turns west to the Bealach a’ Choire Ghairbh, leading over broken quartzite and boulders to the summit. The summit cairn offers one of the finest views from any Munro, taking in the Torridon Hills, Beinn Bhàn and the Skye Cuillin.