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An old cottage and bare tree on the moor, the peaks of Ben Loyal behind.
Sutherland

Ben Loyal

Ben Loyal, the Queen of Scottish mountains, a crown of granite tors rising from the moor south of Tongue, its highest point An Caisteal at 764 metres.

Welcome

Rising alone from the moor south of Tongue, Ben Loyal is a mountain of many tops: a crown of granite tors along a high ridge, so graceful in outline that it has long been called the Queen of Scottish mountains.

The highest of its tors is An Caisteal, the castle, at 764 metres, which makes it a Corbett.

The usual way up starts just south of Tongue, on the road to Ribigill Farm, and follows a track across the fields towards the mountain. After that the ground turns boggy and often pathless, and the climb is steep, with a little scrambling near the tops. Up on the ridge, grassy crests link the granite tors, and a short scramble brings you to the trig point on An Caisteal.

The view is of wild land and water in every direction, with the shifting white sands of the Kyle of Tongue below. It is a long, rough day, so go prepared.

Close byLettermore, Loch LoyalA ruined cottage and its lone tree on the open moor by Loch Loyal, on the road south from Tongue, with Ben Loyal rising behind.1 min by roadSee itLettermore, Loch Loyal
Before you go

The hill is open all year.

The walk from Ribigill is long, boggy and in places pathless, with a scramble near the top; go prepared and check the weather.

Start
Ribigill Farm, just south of Tongue.
Summit
An Caisteal, 764m.
Where it is

South of Tongue on the north coast; the walk starts by the road to Ribigill Farm.

Close byTongue.
  1. Cnoc CraggieCnoc Craggie3 miles3 min by road
  2. Burr’s of Tongue, SutherlandBurr’s of Tongue6 miles10 min by road
  3. TongueTongueA village above the Kyle of Tongue, with Ben Loyal to the south, the ruin of Castle Varrich on its bluff, and a causeway across the Kyle.6 miles10 min by road
  4. Castle VarrichCastle VarrichA ruined tower above the Kyle of Tongue.6 miles11 min by road
  5. Ard Neakie Lime KilnsArd Neakie Lime KilnsLime kilns on a near-island in Loch Eriboll.18 miles26 min by road
Directions
Stone bridge over a dark stream with moorland hills behindAttractionsLettermore, Loch Loyal0.8 miles
A stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.SutherlandLundies HousePlace to stay · 5.9 miles
Timber-framed café interior with fairy lights strung across exposed roof beamsCafeWeavers Craft Shop & Café7.1 miles
The Norse Bakehouse dining room, green panelling and wooden tables under strings of lights and a high ceiling.RestaurantsNorse Bakehouse7.1 miles
Sandy beach curves beneath grassy cliffs beside a rocky outcrop in the seaAttractionsColdbackie Beach8.1 miles
Sandy beach curves between hills and rocky shoreline under grey skiesAttractionsTorrisdale Beach15 miles
A stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.HopeKeeper's CottageSleeps 6 · 15 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.HopeFerryman's CottageSleeps 4 · 15 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the mountain, and when each is next free.

Kyle House, SutherlandKyle House
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Sutherland
  • 3 miles from Ben Loyal
Check datesA stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.Lundies House
  • To stay
  • In Sutherland
  • 5 miles from Ben Loyal
Check datesA stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.Keeper's Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Hope
  • 10 miles from Ben Loyal
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.Ferryman's Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Hope
  • 10 miles from Ben Loyal
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in SutherlandAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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