An Coileachan

An Coileachan, at 923 metres, is the fourth and final Munro of the classic eastern Fannichs traverse, its summit marked by a well-built cairn atop a sandstone outcrop, with fine views along the ridge's termination at An Eigin, backed by Loch Luichart.

Reached from Meall Gorm along the eastern Fannichs ridge, the summit offers a good view back over the whole range and Loch Fannich. From here, the route heads north across the plateau before picking a way steeply down a stonier section — any difficulties can be avoided to the left side — heading in the direction of Loch Gorm.

Once on flatter ground, a more defined path leads to the bealach south-west of Meallan Buidhe, from where the route becomes notably very boggy and rough, though with a path of sorts at first. Contouring the west side of Meallan Buidhe and aiming a little east of north across the moors, the path fades out entirely before reaching the Abhainn a' Ghuibhais Lì at a bridge; crossing here and following the far bank downstream leads back to the second bridge used on the outward journey.

The full eastern Fannichs round — Sgùrr Mòr, Meall Gorm, and An Coileachan, sometimes with Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich added as a fourth Munro at the start of the day — from Torrandhu on the A835 is a substantial day, typically eight to ten hours.

The descent from An Coileachan is often pathless, very boggy, and notably long — this is widely regarded as the price paid for the excellent ridgewalking earlier in the day, and full navigation skills combined with a realistic acceptance of the tiring return leg are both essential.

Parking at Torrandhu is free; there is a regular bus service between Ullapool and Inverness passing nearby on the A835.