An Teallach

An Teallach is a mountain group in Wester Ross, in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It lies west of Dundonnell Forest, north of Loch na Sealga, and south of Little Loch Broom. The highest peaks are Bidean a' Ghlas Thuill at 1,062 metres and Sgùrr Fiona at 1,058 metres. The mountains are mostly made of Torridonian sandstone, with terraced sides and steep gullies. A sharp rocky summit crest runs along Sgùrr Fiona, and the steepest section, Corrag Bhuidhe, rises above Loch Toll an Lochain. Corrag Bhuidhe’s most striking feature is an overhanging pinnacle called Lord Berkeley’s Seat. The name An Teallach means ‘the forge’ or ‘the anvil’ in Scottish Gaelic. One suggestion is that the name came from the shape and colour of the mountains, with smoke-like mist wreathing the pinnacles. Another idea is that tinkers once set up a forge in one of the mountain corries. A mountaineering club hut called the Old Smiddy now stands near where the forge may have been. In 1981, the Scottish Mountaineering Club granted Munro status to Sgùrr Fiona, recognising its prominence and distinct nature. The massif has ten summits over 3,000 feet, including Bidean a’ Ghlas Thuill and Sgùrr Fiona. A simple route to the summits starts from Dundonnell, following a good path over rising ground for about six kilometres. From Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill, the second summit, Sgùrr Fiona, lies about one kilometre to the southwest. An alternative northern route climbs steeply from Corrie Hallie, reaching the main ridge near Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill. A southern route heads southwest for about five kilometres, then turns north to climb the southern end of the ridge via Sàil Liath. Walkers must choose between scrambling over the Corrag Bhuidhe buttresses or taking a bypass path on the southwest side. The winter traverse of the ridge is more demanding than that of nearby Liathach or the Aonach Eagach.