Liathach
Richards Mountain Pages


Anyone who has visited Torridon cannot help but wonder what lies behind the great wall of rock that Liathach and its neighbours present to the world. Well the picture above shows the wilderness denied the road traveller. The picture was taken from the main summit of Liathach, looking North on a fine late October day. Looking West from the same spot, there is an altogether much more daunting view - the infamous pinnacles (shown below).


This next picture shows Liathach from the South (from Beinn Liath Mor in fact). The main summit Spidean A choire Leith sticks out as the pyramid half way along. To the left of these, and continuing along to the high peak at the far left, lie the pinnacles mentioned above. From the summit these are reached by heading down the pyramid to the West, then traversing South to their start. The main problem I found (in ideal conditions) was not the exposure, but the looseness of the quartzite rock.


The other main peak on the ridge is Mullach An Rathain (at the far left of the picture above). After that, the mountain continues round the corner for several more miles. I found the descent down the scree slopes to Torridon village most enjoyable, but it should be avoided unless you are absolutely sure you are at the top of the right bit. I used the alignment of the road to make my judgement.


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