Corbett · Far North
Ben Loyal - An Caisteal
Ben Loyal — often called the Queen of Scottish mountains — rises in four granite turrets above the Kyle of Tongue at the northern edge of the country. An Caisteal at 764m is the highest of the tops and the official Corbett summit. The mountain stands almost on its own in the rolling Sutherland country between Tongue and Altnaharra, and the views from its summit ridge run from Foinaven and Ben Hope in the west to the Caithness flow country in the east. The walking is moderate; the setting is among the wildest in Britain.
Gaelic: “mountain, the, castle” · Pronunciation: ben loyal an kash-til
Quick facts
- Height
- 764.2m/ 2507ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 850 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC578488
- Parking
- NC585533
- Nearest
- Ullapool
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
farm track 15% · bog and heather 30% · rocky ridge 40% · summit scramble 15%
The standard ascent leaves the road south of Tongue near Ribigill Farm (NC585533). A rough track and path lead south across open moorland to the foot of the hill, then climb steeply onto the broad north ridge. Once on the granite, the route follows the ridge south over Sgor a' Bhatain to An Caisteal, the highest top. A short scramble onto the summit blocks adds character. Strong walkers continue south over Beinn Bheag and Carn an Tionail. Allow 6–7 hours.
Terrain
Wet moorland and rough heather on the approach — slow in any weather, sticky in rain. The granite ridge above is firmer underfoot with some short rocky steps. The summit of An Caisteal involves a brief easy scramble onto a tower of granite blocks; not technical but exposed.
In winter
Ben Loyal in winter is a serious far-north expedition. Midwinter daylight on this coast struggles past mid-afternoon, the approach from Ribigill freezes into a rink, and the granite ridge is fully exposed to Atlantic and Arctic winds. On a stable cold day with good visibility the mountain comes into its own — pale granite turrets above white moor — but in marginal weather the distance from help and the absence of phone signal change the calculation.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 27m
- Edinburgh5h 26m
OS maps: OS Landranger 10
Mobile signal: Patchy on the lower approach; brief 4G on the summit looking north to Tongue and the Kyle
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:23
- Sunset
- 22:08
- Civil dawn
- 03:14
- Civil dusk
- 23:16
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Ben Loyal - An Caisteal.
Around Ben Loyal - An Caisteal on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ben Loyal - An Caisteal — common questions
- How hard is Ben Loyal - An Caisteal?
- Ben Loyal - An Caisteal is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 850m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Wet moorland and rough heather on the approach — slow in any weather, sticky in rain.
- Where do I park for Ben Loyal - An Caisteal?
- Standard parking is at NC585533 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 Ben Loyal - An Caisteal?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Loyal - An Caisteal are May, June, July, August, September. 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 Ben Loyal - An Caisteal?
- 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 Ben Loyal - An Caisteal?
- Patchy on the lower approach; brief 4G on the summit looking north to Tongue and the Kyle
- Is Ben Loyal - An Caisteal safe in winter?
- Ben Loyal in winter is a serious far-north expedition. Midwinter daylight on this coast struggles past mid-afternoon, the approach from Ribigill freezes into a rink, and the granite ridge is fully exposed to Atlantic and Arctic winds. On a stable cold day with good visibility the mountain comes into its own — pale granite turrets above white moor — but in marginal weather the distance from help and the absence of phone signal change the calculation.