Graham · Far North
Sabhal Beag
A remote Sutherland Graham buried in the Reay Forest, surrounded by the Foinaven and Arkle massifs. The walk-in alone is a half-day, but the summit rewards with one of the loneliest views in mainland Britain.
Gaelic: “small” · Pronunciation: sabhal bek
Quick facts
- Height
- 730.4m/ 2396ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 599 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC373429
- Parking
- NC295398
- Nearest
- Ullapool
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
lodge track 20% · heather moorland 40% · rocky slopes 30% · summit area 10%
Start at the locked gate at Achfary on the A838. Follow the estate road east toward Loch Stack, then south up Strath Stack onto the broad western flank of the hill. The summit is a quartzite cap.
Terrain
Long estate road approach, then rough heather, peat and bog. The upper slopes turn to bright quartzite scree characteristic of the Reay Forest hills.
In winter
Far enough north that Atlantic storms hit hard. Sutherland's short December days make a winter ascent feasible only with early starts. The estate track is the most reliable approach when the moor freezes.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 21m
- Edinburgh5h 26m
OS maps: OS Landranger 9
Mobile signal: No signal in Reay Forest; reception only at Achfary lodge
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:09
- Civil dawn
- 03:17
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sabhal Beag.
On a long-distance route
Sabhal Beag sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Sabhal Beag on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Sabhal Beag — common questions
- How hard is Sabhal Beag?
- Sabhal Beag is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 599m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Long estate road approach, then rough heather, peat and bog.
- Where do I park for Sabhal Beag?
- Standard parking is at NC295398 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 Sabhal Beag?
- The standard good-weather months for Sabhal Beag 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 Sabhal Beag?
- 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 Sabhal Beag?
- No signal in Reay Forest; reception only at Achfary lodge
- Is Sabhal Beag safe in winter?
- Far enough north that Atlantic storms hit hard. Sutherland's short December days make a winter ascent feasible only with early starts. The estate track is the most reliable approach when the moor freezes.