An Riabhachan

An Riabhachan is a remote mountain in the Scottish Highlands, standing alone at the western end of Loch Mullardoch. It lies thirty-five kilometres east of Kyle of Lochalsh, far from any public road. The mountain rises to 1 129 metres and is one of the highest peaks north of the Great Glen. Its Gaelic name means ‘The Brindled One’, describing the flecked pattern of stone and turf on its slopes. The nearest Munros are Sgurr na Lapaich to the east and An Socach to the west. The mountain is worth the journey for those who seek solitude and long ridges. Its summit ridge stretches two and a half kilometres without dropping below 1 000 metres. Three subsidiary tops punctuate the ridge, including the West Top at 1 040 metres and the South West Top at 1 086 metres. The 1921 edition of Munro’s Tables once listed the NE Top as the main summit, but later revisions restored the current peak. Coire Gnada on the north-east side holds two small lochans, Loch Mòr and Loch Beag. A visitor finds grassy slopes falling away to Loch Mullardoch on one side and Glen Strathfarrar on the other. The rocky north-east section overlooks the craggy coire of Coire Gnada. Walkers usually climb An Riabhachan as part of a longer circuit that includes An Socach and Sgurr na Lapaich. The route from Mullardoch dam follows the loch’s northern shore for nine kilometres before the final ascent. Those who prefer a shorter walk can start from Glen Strathfarrar, where a stalkers’ path leads to the Bealach Toll an Lochain.