Liathach

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Liathach

Looking west along Liathach
Location: Torridon, Scotland
Summits: Spidean a' Choire Leith Mullach an Rathain
Elevation: 1055 m (3461 ft) 1023 m (3356 ft)
Prominence: 957 m c. 152 m
Topo map: OS Landranger 25 OS Landranger 25
OS grid reference: NG929579 NG912577
Listing: Munro, Marilyn Munro, Marilyn
Translation of name: Peak of the Grey Corrie (Gaelic) Summit of the Pinnacles (Gaelic)
Pronunciation: /spitʃɪæn æ kɒɹə li/ /mʌlæx æn ɹæhæn/

Liathach is one of the most famous of the Torridon Hills. It lies to the north of the A896 road, in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, and has two peaks of Munro status: Spidean a' Choire Leith at the east of the main ridge, and Mullach an Rathain at the western end of the mountain. The name Liathach is pronounced /liæhæx/, and comes from the Scottish Gaelic meaning The grey one. Liathach conveys an aura of impregnability when seen from below, as the slopes rise up in a series of near vertical rocky terraces

The traverse of the hill including both of the above peaks is a challenging expedition; the intervening ridge is for the most part a series of rocky pinnacles known as Am Fasarinen (The Teeth). A head for heights is needed to cross these obstacles, which provide an exhilarating scramble for the experienced hillwalker or mountaineer. The pinnacles can however be avoided by means of a narrow path that traverses the ridge on the south side. This should not be regarded as an easy option however; the path is exceedingly exposed, and there is much erosion at points where it crosses any of a series of gullies. In winter the traverse of Liathach becomes an even more serious expedition, and should not be undertaken lightly. Its traverse is comparable with that of An Teallach or the Aonach Eagach in similar conditions.

There are few obvious routes up or down. Routes to each of the two Munro summits exist, following the course of two small burns to give a steep ascent or descent from the ridge. The western end of Liathach, beyond Mullach an Rathain, drops more gently to sea level than any of the burns.

Liathach seen from Beinn Eighe. With the Munro “Top“ of Stuc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig (915 metres) in the foreground and the two Munro summits in the background.
Liathach seen from Beinn Eighe. With the Munro “Top“ of Stuc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig (915 metres) in the foreground and the two Munro summits in the background.

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Torridon Mountains

Liathach | Beinn Eighe | Beinn Alligin | Beinn Dearg