Mackay Country
Dùthaich Mhic Aoidh
An area in North-West Scotland of natural unspoiled beauty, rich in heritage & history
Mountains
ARKLE (2583ft 787m)
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Length: Three hours.
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Set-up: Car park at the stone barn a quarter of a mile north of Loch Stack Lodge on the A838.
Route: Cross the bridge to Loch Stack Lodge, turn right and follow the track north east. After one and a half miles the track turns sharp left under the slopes of Arkle heading almost north. At this point turn right, south east, and follow the northern lochside for about half a mile. Strike diagonally up the hillside, aiming to pass through the rocks in line with the end of the loch to gain the high wide corrie leading to the summit ridge of Arkle. Ascend this corrie bearing left near the top to reach the ridge. Follow the ridge left due north to the summit.
BEN STACK (2366ft 721m)
Length: Two hours.
Set-up: Car park at the stone barn a quarter of a mile north of Loch Stack Lodge on the A838 .
Route: Fifty yards north along the A838 a track strikes north west up the hillside. Follow this round and south until in half a mile a wall and fence are reached, descending steeply from the left. Follow this fence up onto the north west ridge of Ben Stack. The route continues all the way up the ridge keeping a little to the left at the summit's steeper crest. Follow the crest along to the cairn. Alternative descent:- Continue in the same line as the ridge south east, until the route ascends again slightly. Follow this rise bearing left to a long wide grassy ramp which leads down towards the wooden structure at the side of the A838, almost at the southern end of Loch Stack. Care is needed to thread the small rock outcrops at the bottom.
FOINAVEN (2980ft 908m)
Length: Ceann Garbh Three hours.
Set-up: Car park two and a quarter miles from Rhiconich Hotel on the A838 Durness road where a waterfall can be seen on your left, park as best you can!
Route: Strike out from the road south east across the boggy moors straight towards Foinaven. Steep grass slopes lead to the ridge of Ceann Garbh, the highest point. The whole mountain is then easy, but time consuming for exploration.
BEN HOPE (3040ft 927m)
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Length: Three Hours.
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Set-up: Access to the south ridge of Ben Hope can be made almost anywhere from the Cashel Dhue turn off, to Dun Dornaigil . However the easiest start is from Dun Dornaigil.
Route: Follow the true left bank (right looking up) of the Allt na Coullich, turning to cross it in a quarter of a mile, to head due north up the south ridge . Follow this easily all the way to t​he summit cairn.
BEN LOYAL (2504ft 763m)
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Length: Three hours.
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Set-up: considerately at Ribigill farm, due south of Tongue.
Route: Follow the broad fenced track, then a path through a large gate keeping to the left ford a stream to reach the cottage at Cunside. Keep about two hundred yards to the right of the cottage and head straight for the rocky summit buttress of Ben Loyal. As the hillside starts to rise, head more easterly following the true left bank of a stream descending from the left. This path passes to the left of the summit into a corrie flanked by the north ridge of Ben Loyal. Where the path levels out , about a mile before a saddle, strike up right to gain the ridge descending left from the summit of Ben Loyal. Follow this ridge to the first rocky summit. Continue south along the ridge for about half a mile to the highest point with its trig point.