A day on Quinag

A day on Quinag - photo 1. The start of the walk in. Looking west to the Quinag massif from the car park next to the A894 at Grid Ref. NC 2329 2736. Spidean Còinich (764 m) is the mountain to the left of centre, Sàil Gharbh (808 m) to the right. The path leads up to the bealach (Bealach a' Chornaidh) in the centre. A long way to go yet!

A day on Quinag - photo 2 . Looking west to Spidean Còinich (764 m), the southern spur of Quinag and an impressive looking mountain it is too. All the Quinag spurs are capped by pale grey Cambrian Basal Quartzite (Eriboll Formation) resting with angular unconformity on the red Torridonian Sandstone (Applecross Formation) beneath. Taken from the car park next to the A894 at Grid Ref. NC 2329 2736.

A day on Quinag - photo 3 . Looking WNW to the great bulk of Sàil Gharbh (808 m), the eastern and highest spur of Quinag. All the Quinag spurs are capped by pale grey Cambrian Basal Quartzite (Eriboll Formation) resting with angular unconformity on the red Torridonian Sandstone (Applecross Formation) beneath. Taken from the car park next to the A894 at Grid Ref. NC 2329 2736.

A day on Quinag - photo 4 . A resting spot on the walk in. Looking east over Allt na Bradhan and to the hills and mountains of the Assynt Culmination beyond. Lovely fair-weather cumulus clouds promise settled weather for the bulk of the day ahead. Taken from the footpath at Grid Ref. NC 2124 2824.

A day on Quinag - photo 5 . A resting spot on the walk in. Looking WNW over Allt na Bradhan and to the hills and mountains of the Assynt Culmination beyond. The Cambrian Pipe Rock is the reddish bed sloping upwards to the left from the centre of the photo. The Glencoul Thrust lies just above and brings Precambrian Lewisian Gneiss to rest on top of the Pipe Rock. Taken from the footpath at Grid Ref. NC 2124 2824.

A day on Quinag - photo 6 . A resting spot on the walk in. Looking SW over the valley of Allt Sgiathaig in the centre ground, with Ben More Assynt dominating the distant view. Taken from the footpath at Grid Ref. NC 2124 2824.

A day on Quinag - photo 7 . A resting spot on the walk in. Looking north with the bulk of Sàil Gharbh (808 m) beyond. This is the eastern and highest of the three spurs of Quinag and is our objective for today. In common with the other spurs, Sàil Gharbh is capped by pale grey Cambrian Basal Quartzite (Eriboll Formation) resting with angular unconformity on the red Torridonian Sandstone (Applecross Formation) beneath. Taken from the footpath at Grid Ref. NC 2124 2824.

A day on Quinag - photo 8 . Another quick rest on the walk in. Looking west to the pass of Bealach a' Chornaidh. The direct route to Sàil Gharbh lies up a steep path on the flank on the right, before the bealach. 'How sweet to be a cloud, Floating in the blue....'

A day on Quinag - photo 9 . Spidean Còinich and Lochan Bealach Cornadh viewed from part way up the south-east flank of Sàil Gharbh.