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Glen Affric and Strathfarrar

An Socach

A Munro of 920 metres, number 271 of the 282.

On the hill todayI was up today
The hill

An Socach stands at the head of Glen Affric, a long way beyond the end of the public road.

It is one of the smaller Munros, number 271 of the 282, and it has far bigger neighbours: Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan about three kilometres to the west, and Mam Sodhail and Carn Eighe to the north-east.

Its summit is a cairn on an outcrop. Alltbeithe, the hostel at the head of the glen, lies below these hills, and the National Trust for Scotland's Camban bothy is about six kilometres to the south-west.

Two other Munros share the name, one of them north of Loch Mullardoch.

The road end
Forestry and Land Scotland's River Affric car park, at the end of the public road, is its starting point for longer routes into the mountains. It is a long way from this hill.
On the hill
There are no signposts once you leave the waymarked trails at the car parks. Forestry and Land Scotland says you need to be fit, confident at map-reading and navigation, and well equipped with clothing and food.
Burns
On the north side of Loch Affric, Forestry and Land Scotland's circuit crosses burns with no bridges, and they can be tricky after heavy rain.
The ground
The Affric and Kintail deer management plan of 2017 puts An Socach, a name several hills share, with Mam Sodhail under the North Affric Estate: no access issues, but walkers are encouraged to stick to the ridges. Things may have changed since 2017, so read Mountaineering Scotland's page on stalking before you go and follow any signs.
Under snow
There is no avalanche forecast for this hill, but that does not mean there is no risk under snow. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service's full winter forecasts for its six areas begin on 17 December 2026.
Car parks
Forestry and Land Scotland runs three car parks on the glen road from Cannich: Dog Falls, Loch Beinn a' Mheadhain at about 8 miles, and River Affric at about 10 miles, where the public road ends. In 2026 parking cost £2 for up to 1 hour, £3 for up to 3 hours and £5 for the day, on one ticket for all its Glen Affric sites; Blue Badge holders park free. You may park overnight at all three for the hills but not camp or sleep in your vehicle.
The road and the bus
Much of the glen road is single track. Buses run from Inverness to Tomich and Cannich all year, and Traveline Scotland has the times, but they reach the villages, not the car park about 10 miles on.
Toilets and food
The toilets at Dog Falls are open all year, those at River Affric from 1 April to 31 October. There are no cafés or shops in the glen: eat in Cannich or Tomich, and there is a shop in Cannich.
On the hill today
1° to 4°Rain on the summit, 920 m. Feels like −3° in the wind.

West wind to 12 mph, gusting 28
Rain, about 10 mm
Light from 7.55am to 6.16pm, ten hours

Sat 17Cloudy0° to 4° on top · 8 mph, gusts 18
Sun 18Some cloud−3° to 4° on top · 8 mph, gusts 17
Mon 19Cloudy−4° to 7° on top · 5 mph, gusts 11

A weather model's forecast for the height of the summit, not a report from the hill. Read the mountain forecast the evening before: Northwest Highlands forecast, An Socach, Northwest Highlands mountain forecast, Deer stalking and hill access.

October2026

MTWTFSS

Going another day?

Choose the day you mean to climb.Near or far: the light you will have, and what the summit is likely to be doing.

Before you go

Carry

  • A paper map and a compass, and the skill to use them
  • Waterproofs, warm layers, hat and gloves
  • Food and drink
  • A head torch, a whistle and a first aid kit
  • A survival bag
  • Boots with a good grip

Under snow and ice this is a different day, with short light and the risk of avalanche. It needs an ice axe, crampons, winter boots and the skill to use them.

If something goes wrong

  • Dial 999, ask for the police, then mountain rescue
  • Give a six-figure grid reference: the summit is NH 088 229
  • Say how many are hurt, how many are with you, and your number
  • Register to text 999 before the day: text the word register to 999

The summit is optional. Turning back is the right decision whenever the cloud, the wind or the light say so.

How to call for help in the hills · Safety and skills for the hills · ThinkWINTER

From our readers

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From the magazine
Read more elsewhere

For the route itself, take the map and read these.

Sleep and eat at its foot

Next along: Mullach na Dheiragain, Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan, Mam Sodhail, Carn Eighe. Checked on 10 October 2026. The facts on this page are Forestry and Land Scotland's, Mountaineering Scotland's, Scottish Mountain Rescue's and the Affric and Kintail Deer Management Group's; the forecasts are the Mountain Weather Information Service's, the Met Office's and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service's. Height and position from The Database of British and Irish Hills, v18.3, adapted, CC BY 4.0. This page is not a route description and does not replace a map.