A' Chailleach (Fannichs)

A' Chailleach, at 997 metres, appears rugged with its summit sitting above hidden Loch Toll an Lochain when viewed from the north — the westernmost of the Fannichs Munros, paired with neighbouring Sgùrr Breac at the detached end of the range.

The most accessible route starts from a layby on the A832, south-west of Braemore junction, following the same approach as Sgùrr Breac past Loch a' Bhraoin and up Leitir Fhearna, involving a little rock-scrambling, before continuing along Druim Rèidh to Toman Coinnich. From here, the route descends to the Bealach Toll an Lochain, from where a path climbs directly to A' Chailleach's small summit cairn — the top offers magnificent views to Slioch, the Torridon hills, and the Fisherfield range, with An Teallach also often visible to the north.

For those wanting only the two western Fannichs, retracing the route back over Toman Coinnich and down Druim Rèidh is the simplest option; an alternative descent follows the Sròn na Goibhre ridge north from A' Chailleach, requiring care picking a route down steep slopes to Loch Toll an Lochain — towards the northern end of the spur, the eastern slopes become less steep, offering a safer descent line in good visibility, though this route can be ankle-turning and wet, and caution is needed with any cornice that may overhang the descent in winter.

The bealach at around 550 metres separating A' Chailleach and Sgùrr Breac from the rest of the Fannichs makes any longer traverse — potentially including all nine Munros of the range — into a very demanding expedition.

The combined round taking in both Munros from the A832 layby is typically six to seven hours; the Sròn na Goibhre descent alternative adds interest but demands genuine care on steep, sometimes cornice-fringed ground.

The contour route around Toman Coinnich requires compass work in mist given the absence of any path, and the alternative Sròn na Goibhre descent has notably steep sections — full navigation and sure-footedness are both valuable on this fine but genuinely committing pair of summits.

The A832 layby is free; there is no public transport directly to the start.