Quinag

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Quinag
Quinag in the distance from the western end of Loch Assynt
Elevation	Sàil Gharbh: 808 m (2,651 ft) Sàil Ghorm: 776 m (2,546 ft) Spidean Coinich: 764 m (2,506 ft)
Location	Assynt, Scotland
Prominence	c. 553 m, 158 m, 192 m
Topo map	OS Landranger 15
OS grid reference	NC209292
Listing	Corbett, Marilyn (both x3)
Translation	Little milk pail (Gaelic)
Pronunciation	[kunjæg (Koon-yak)]

The mountain Quinag (808 m) (Scottish Gaelic: A’ Chuineag, pronounced [ə xɯɲag̊]) in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands is in fact a mountain range with an undulating series of peaks along its Y-shaped crest. The name Quinag is an anglicisation of the Gaelic name Cuinneag, a milking pail, reflecting its distinctive shape.

Geologically, Quinag is made of Torridonian sandstone, resting on a substrate of Lewisian gneiss. The highest peaks are capped by a thin skin of Cambrian quartzites with the gentle eastern slope of Spidean Coinich being a dip slope formed along the quartzite beds. The massif is an excellent place to appreciate the relationship between these three major rock units of the NW Highland.

Quinag boasts three separate Corbett summits – Sàil Ghorm (Blue Heel 776 m/2,546 ft; pronounced [s̪aːl ɣɔɾɔm]), Sàil Gharbh (Rough Heel 808 m/2,651 ft; pronounced [s̪aːl ɣaɾav]) and Spidean Coinich (Mossy Peak 764 m/2,506 ft; pronounced [s̪b̊id̊ʲan kɤɲɪç]). From the north and from the road crossing the Kylesku Bridge, Quinag presents a formidable sight with its two huge buttresses of Sàil Gharbh and Sàil Ghorm dominating the skyline. It provides a marvellous backdrop to beautiful Loch Assynt, and seen from the road coming from the village of Lochinver, Quinag stretches as far as the eye can see riding like a giant ship at anchor. Spidean Coinich projects a broad south-east ridge which provides the usual ascent route for walkers.

The 8,400 acre (3,400 ha) Quinag estate was purchased by the UK conservation charity, the John Muir Trust in 2005. Quinag and Glencanisp estates share ownership of beautiful Loch Assynt.

Remnants of ancient woodland comprising birch, rowan, hazel, wych elm, aspen and oak are scattered throughout the northern side of the mountain particularly in the deep gulleys and sheltered situations near the seashore.

Quinag is mentioned in Iain Banks's 2007 novel The Steep Approach to Garbadale as lying just west of the estate of that name.