Munro · North-West Highlands
Seana Bhraigh
Seana Bhraigh (926m) — "old upland" — is one of the most remote Munros in Scotland, hidden deep in the trackless country between Loch Broom and Strath Oykel. The summit sits at the very lip of Luchd Choire, an immense north-facing crag-bound corrie that drops 400m to the lochan below. The grassy summit and modest height belie one of the most committing approaches of any Munro.
Quick facts
- Height
- 926m/ 3038ft
- Prominence
- 251 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 815 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH281878
- Parking
- NH183852
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 57km
- 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
Remote glen track 50% · Open moorland 35% · Corrie rim / summit 15%
The shortest start is Inverlael at the south end of Loch Broom — a 12km approach via the forestry track and Allt Gleann a' Mhadaidh. Climb out onto the broad plateau west of Meall nam Bradhan and follow vague paths north-east across rolling moor to the cliff edge. The summit windshelter sits at the very brink — disoriented arrival in cloud is a real risk. Around 28km return with 1100m of ascent.
Terrain
Inverlael forestry track is firm landrover until the trees thin. Beyond, the ground becomes featureless peat hag and tussock grass with vague intermittent path. The summit plateau is short turf cropped by deer; the cairn and shelter are perched right at the cornice edge of Luchd Choire — give the rim wide berth in poor visibility.
In winter
The remoteness becomes the dominant hazard in winter. Cornices on the Luchd Choire rim can extend 5m and have given fatal accidents to walkers approaching the cairn in cloud. SAIS Northern Highlands covers the region. The Inverlael track holds snow late; daylight drops below 7 hours in December and there is no escape if conditions deteriorate mid-plateau.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 19m
- Edinburgh5h 31m
OS maps: OS Landranger 20
Mobile signal: No signal whatsoever. Among the remotest Munros north of the Great Glen. Line maps up before leaving Ullapool — no coverage for the entire approach.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:55
- Sunset
- 21:57
- Civil dawn
- 03:57
- Civil dusk
- 22:55
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Seana Bhraigh.
Around Seana Bhraigh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Seana Bhraigh — common questions
- What difficulty is Seana Bhraigh?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Seana Bhraigh comes in at 5/5 — very challenging. Expect roughly 16km and 815m of ascent on the usual route — 6-9 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: Inverlael forestry track is firm landrover until the trees thin.
- How much drop does Seana Bhraigh have?
- The drop is 251m: measured from the summit of Seana Bhraigh down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Seana Bhraigh?
- Park at NH183852 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 Seana Bhraigh?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Seana Bhraigh. 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 Seana Bhraigh?
- 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 Seana Bhraigh?
- No signal whatsoever. Among the remotest Munros north of the Great Glen. Line maps up before leaving Ullapool — no coverage for the entire approach.
- Is Seana Bhraigh safe in winter?
- The remoteness becomes the dominant hazard in winter. Cornices on the Luchd Choire rim can extend 5m and have given fatal accidents to walkers approaching the cairn in cloud. SAIS Northern Highlands covers the region. The Inverlael track holds snow late; daylight drops below 7 hours in December and there is no escape if conditions deteriorate mid-plateau.
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