Munro · Kintail
Saileag
Sàileag (956m) — "little heel" — is the westernmost Munro of the Brothers of Kintail trio above the north flank of Glen Shiel, paired with Sgùrr a' Bhealaich Dheirg and Aonach Meadhoin in the classic three-Munro Brothers traverse. The hill is the smallest and least dramatic of the three but commands fine views west to the Five Sisters across the Allt na Lapain. The standard line is to descend Sàileag at the western end of the Brothers traverse via the steep Bealach an Lapain.
Quick facts
- Height
- 956m/ 3136ft
- Prominence
- 91 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 841 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH017148
- Parking
- NG990135
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 42km
- 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
Steep hillside 45% · Open ridge 40% · Summit 15%
See Sgùrr a' Bhealaich Dheirg or Aonach Meadhoin for the standard Brothers of Kintail traverse from Cluanie Inn. Sàileag is the final summit reached on the standard west-bound traverse, with descent down the steep grass slope to the Bealach an Lapain layby on the A87. As a single Munro, the Bealach an Lapain ascent is a brutally steep 700m climb to the bealach, then an easy walk west along the ridge to Sàileag. Around 8km return with 840m of ascent.
Terrain
The Bealach an Lapain initial climb is 700m of relentless steep grass with no real path. The ridge above is broad mossy ground with occasional rocky outcrops — easy walking, no scrambling required. Sàileag's summit area forms a flat mossy plateau topped by a small cairn. The link east to Sgùrr a' Bhealaich Dheirg is broad turf with one short rocky step.
In winter
A serious Brothers of Kintail winter Munro. In snow conditions the steep grass leading up to the Bealach an Lapain hardens to névé, making the climb committing once gained. Cornices build along the north side of the ridge through the season. The A87 corridor at Cluanie stays gritted. There is no mobile reception on the ridge; the relevant forecast area is SAIS Northern Highlands.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 4m
- Edinburgh4h 36m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: No signal on the South Kintail Ridge. Glen Shiel road has intermittent coverage in spots. No coverage above 600m.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:01
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 04:05
- Civil dusk
- 22:50
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Saileag.
Around Saileag on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Saileag — common questions
- What difficulty is Saileag?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Saileag comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 17km and 841m of ascent on the usual route — 5-8 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: The Bealach an Lapain initial climb is 700m of relentless steep grass with no real path.
- How much drop does Saileag have?
- The drop is 91m: measured from the summit of Saileag down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Saileag?
- Park at NG990135. 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 Saileag?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Saileag. 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 Saileag?
- 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 Saileag?
- No signal on the South Kintail Ridge. Glen Shiel road has intermittent coverage in spots. No coverage above 600m.
- Is Saileag safe in winter?
- A serious Brothers of Kintail winter Munro. In snow conditions the steep grass leading up to the Bealach an Lapain hardens to névé, making the climb committing once gained. Cornices build along the north side of the ridge through the season. The A87 corridor at Cluanie stays gritted. There is no mobile reception on the ridge; the relevant forecast area is SAIS Northern Highlands.
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