Corbett · North-West Highlands
An Sithean (An Sidhean)
An Sidhean — 'the fairy hill' — is the 814m Corbett rising at the head of Glen Strathfarrar, one of the great locked-glen approaches in the Highlands. Access to the glen is controlled by the Glen Strathfarrar estate with a gate at Struy that is open only at specific times — usually 09:00 to 18:00 in summer, with restrictions during the deer stalking season. The hill itself is a broad rounded summit at the heart of the Strathfarrar Munros' deer forest, often left to last by the patient Corbett-bagger.
Quick facts
- Height
- 814m/ 2671ft
- Prominence
- 270 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 700 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH171453
- Parking
- NH200387
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 49km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
loch track 25% · deep heather 45% · rocky upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%
Check the Glen Strathfarrar gate times before driving up. Park at the road end at Loch Monar dam (NH200387). Walk the estate track north for around 4km, then climb the broad south flank of An Sidhean onto the summit ridge. The going is heather and grass with few markers; the summit cairn is small. Return reverses the line — beat the gate-closing time. Allow 6–7 hours, with strict departure timing.
Terrain
Estate track on the approach. Beyond it, heather and grass with peat hag scattered across the upper basin. The summit area is broad and gently domed with a small cairn. The gate timetable is the bigger logistical concern; the walk itself is straightforward.
In winter
The Glen Strathfarrar gate keeps to a winter timetable that is often more restrictive than summer; check with the estate. Deep cover on the upper hill is normal from mid-January into March. The standard ascent line is free of avalanche risk. Don't get caught the wrong side of the gate at dusk.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 33m
- Edinburgh4h 54m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: Signal absent in upper Glen Strathfarrar. The Struy gate has reasonable EE coverage; brief signal possible on the summit looking east
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:48
- Sunset
- 22:05
- Civil dawn
- 03:47
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 17 July 2026
On a long-distance route
An Sithean (An Sidhean) sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around An Sithean (An Sidhean) on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
An Sithean (An Sidhean) — common questions
- How hard is An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- We grade An Sithean (An Sidhean) at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 16km with 700m of climbing; allow 4-7 hours. Ground conditions: Estate track on the approach.
- How much drop does An Sithean (An Sidhean) have?
- The drop is 270m: measured from the summit of An Sithean (An Sidhean) down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- Park at NH200387 near Ullapool. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on An Sithean (An Sidhean). In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- Signal absent in upper Glen Strathfarrar. The Struy gate has reasonable EE coverage; brief signal possible on the summit looking east
- Is An Sithean (An Sidhean) safe in winter?
- The Glen Strathfarrar gate keeps to a winter timetable that is often more restrictive than summer; check with the estate. Deep cover on the upper hill is normal from mid-January into March. The standard ascent line is free of avalanche risk. Don't get caught the wrong side of the gate at dusk.
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