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
- 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 ↗
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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: No signal in upper Glen Strathfarrar. The Struy gate has reasonable EE coverage; brief signal possible on the summit looking east
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 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)?
- An Sithean (An Sidhean) is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 700m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Estate track on the approach.
- Where do I park for An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- Standard parking is at NH200387 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- The standard good-weather months for An Sithean (An Sidhean) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on An Sithean (An Sidhean)?
- No signal 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.