Maol Chean-dearg

Maol Chean-dearg, at 933 metres — "bald red head," named for its red sandstone boulder summit topped with a lower band of white quartzite — is a dramatic, steep-sided dome of Torridonian sandstone in the Coulin Forest, plunging in crags on its northern side to a lochan far below, with an awe-inspiring outlook over the Torridon peaks.

The route starts from a parking area on the A890 just west of the bridge at Coulags. Crossing the bridge and heading through a gate signed for Glen Torridon, a path follows the glen on the east side of the Fionn-abhainn, crossing the river on a wooden bridge before reaching Coire Fionnaraich, a two-storey bothy maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association, complete with wood panelling and its own solitary ash tree by the front door. A little further on, a small cairn marks a path junction; turning left begins a zig-zag climb up a stalkers' path, with the mountain visible ahead and the looming crags of Meall nan Ceapairean to the left. The path is clear all the way to the Bealach a' Choire Ghairbh, from where the Corbett An Ruadh-stac makes an impressive sight.

Turning right up an indistinct path heading north-west, the route crosses quartzite scree — steep but mercifully short — before a grassy plateau with only a faint path, then a rocky section with ledges running across the ridge that could genuinely confuse in poor visibility. Beyond these, the final ascent climbs over sandstone boulders to the large summit cairn, with its numerous wind shelters, and a fabulous view down the steep northern face to Loch an Eion below and across to the Torridon giants.

The easiest return retraces the ascent; a fine circular alternative descends south-west from the bealach instead, contouring around the western flank of Maol Chean-dearg past Loch Coire an Ruadh-stac and the shores of lonely Loch an Eion (with an outflow stream crossing that can require wading in spate), before rejoining the outward path back to Coulags.

The out-and-back or circular round from Coulags is typically five and a half to seven and a half hours; an alternative, considerably tougher approach starts from Annat near Torridon, tackling the mountain's steep west-north-west flank more directly, though this adds significant distance if returning to the same start point.

The rocky ledged section near the summit demands care in poor visibility, where the correct line can genuinely be lost — full navigation skills are essential, and this remote terrain should be saved for a clear day given the route-finding challenges throughout.

Parking at Coulags is free; there is no public transport directly to the start, though the A890 has occasional bus services.