Munro · North-West Highlands
An Coileachan
An Coileachan (923m) — "the little cock" — is the easternmost Munro of the Fannaichs, a flattish heathery summit with an impressive corrie face dropping north into Garbh Choire Mor above Loch Gorm. The hill marks the end of the long Fannaich ridge that begins at Meall Gorm. Often paired with Meall Gorm as the easier two of the seven Fannaich Munros.
Quick facts
- Height
- 924m/ 3031ft
- Prominence
- 148 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 813 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH241680
- Parking
- NH272745
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 48km
- 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
Moorland path 35% · Open hillside 45% · Summit 20%
Park at the lay-by near Loch Glascarnoch on the A835 and follow the indistinct path south crossing the moor to Loch Gorm. Climb the steep grassy north-east shoulder of An Coileachan to the summit. Most parties continue west over Meall Gorm before descending. Around 17km return with 810m of ascent for the pair.
Terrain
The moorland approach from Loch Glascarnoch is wet and tussocky with intermittent path. The north-east shoulder rises in a long uniform slope of grass and broken rock. The summit is a flat rocky platform with a cairn at the cliff edge above Garbh Choire Mor.
In winter
A long open winter approach across exposed moor. The Garbh Choire Mor face holds substantial cornices and wind-loaded slab on northerly aspects. SAIS Northern Highlands forecasts cover the Fannaichs. The A835 stays gritted but Loch Glascarnoch funnels strong gale-force winds across the parking area.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 57m
- Edinburgh4h 12m
OS maps: OS Landranger 20
Mobile signal: Barely anything above 700m. Garve has reasonable coverage. Preload mapping before departing the main road.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:57
- Sunset
- 21:56
- Civil dawn
- 03:59
- Civil dusk
- 22:54
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from An Coileachan.
Around An Coileachan on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
An Coileachan — common questions
- Is An Coileachan a hard climb?
- An Coileachan is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 813m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Ground conditions: The moorland approach from Loch Glascarnoch is wet and tussocky with intermittent path.
- How much drop does An Coileachan have?
- The drop is 148m: measured from the summit of An Coileachan down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for An Coileachan?
- Park at NH272745 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 Coileachan?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September on An Coileachan. 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 Coileachan?
- 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 Coileachan?
- Barely anything above 700m. Garve has reasonable coverage. Preload mapping before departing the main road.
- Is An Coileachan safe in winter?
- A long open winter approach across exposed moor. The Garbh Choire Mor face holds substantial cornices and wind-loaded slab on northerly aspects. SAIS Northern Highlands forecasts cover the Fannaichs. The A835 stays gritted but Loch Glascarnoch funnels strong gale-force winds across the parking area.
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