Cul Mor - a grand outing
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:47 amHaving driven passed the iconic peaks of Assynt numerous times and so far having only walked up Stac Pollaidh (well most of the way anyway!) we decided the time had come to wind our way up another one of those hills. We chose Cul Mor as it promised good path after a spell of heavy rain..... and it certainly delivered in every way! What a hill! The views are awesome and the hill itself has much to interest.
We walked up to Meallan Diomhain and then a couple of us followed the stream up to the col and the rest took the rocky ridge up to the south top. The views of Cul Beag, Stac Polliadh and over the sea to Sky and beyond were amazing and we could even pick out Mellon Udrigle beach. We stopped at the bealach for lunch and then sauntered up to the summit where the views of Suilven dominate and some low cloud came by to add some extra drama to the scenery. We then descended steeply north and eventually picked up our outward route again. We didn't walk out over the west top but it looked amazing with sandstone crags.
Definitely a hill worth visiting but save it for a clear day - the views of Assynt are amazing and also the views back in land towards Knockan Crag, Seana Bhraigh, Beinn Dearg, the Fannichs and An Teallach. We couldn't see Ben More Assynt area so well due to lower cloud in the NE.
Here are the pics but they don't really do it justice.
Cul Mor looks so different from the west side with Sron Garbh dominating and the south top and summit looking insignificant.
A good walk made a grand one by the spectacular scenery!
We walked up to Meallan Diomhain and then a couple of us followed the stream up to the col and the rest took the rocky ridge up to the south top. The views of Cul Beag, Stac Polliadh and over the sea to Sky and beyond were amazing and we could even pick out Mellon Udrigle beach. We stopped at the bealach for lunch and then sauntered up to the summit where the views of Suilven dominate and some low cloud came by to add some extra drama to the scenery. We then descended steeply north and eventually picked up our outward route again. We didn't walk out over the west top but it looked amazing with sandstone crags.
Definitely a hill worth visiting but save it for a clear day - the views of Assynt are amazing and also the views back in land towards Knockan Crag, Seana Bhraigh, Beinn Dearg, the Fannichs and An Teallach. We couldn't see Ben More Assynt area so well due to lower cloud in the NE.
Here are the pics but they don't really do it justice.
- The path and view back to Knockan Crag
- Approaching the summit of Meallan Diomhain
- The north and south tops
- Sandstone by the burn
- View from South top over the west top
- The summit
- Cul Beag
- Stac Polliadh
- The Minch
- Up the coast to Stoer lighthouse
- Below the south top
- Closer view of Cul Beag
- Looking back to the South top from the summit
- And again!
- Suilven
- The steep descent to Coire Gorm
- Sron Gharbh from Coire Gorm
- View over Knockan Crag to Seana Braigh and Beinn Dearg
- Orchid by the main path close to the road
- View of Cul Mor from the south west on the minor road south from Lochinver after purchasing our pies!
Cul Mor looks so different from the west side with Sron Garbh dominating and the south top and summit looking insignificant.
A good walk made a grand one by the spectacular scenery!
My mistake! Obviously my map reading and general sense of direction need a bit of work! Thanks for putting me right - altho I have to say it did feel near vertical at the time even if it wasn't!!! 
Did not get the views you did, but that's not to say I won't when I do it again