| Name | Suilven |
|---|---|
| Other name | Sula Bheinn |
| Photo | Suilven1.JPG |
| Photo caption | Suilven: Meall Meadhonach (nearest) and Meall Beag (rear) from northwest, August 2009 |
| Elevation m | 731 |
| Prominence | c. 496 m |
| Listing | Graham, Marilyn |
| Translation | The pillar |
| Language | Old Norse + Scottish Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | |
| Location | Inverpolly, Scotland |
| Grid ref uk | NC153183 |
| Topo | OS Landranger 15 |
Suilven () is one of the most distinctive mountains in Scotland. Lying in a remote area in the west of Sutherland, it rises almost vertically from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs and lochans known as Inverpolly National Nature Reserve.
The mountain forms a steep-sided ridge some 2 km in length. The highest point, known as Caisteal Liath (the Grey Castle in Scottish Gaelic), lies at the northwest end of this ridge. There are two other summits: Meall Meadhonach (Round Middle Hill) at the central point of the ridge is 723 m high, whilst Meall Beag (Round Little Hill) lies at the southeastern end.
Geologically, Suilven is formed of Torridonian sandstone, sitting on a landscape of Lewisian Gneiss. As the softer rocks eroded Suilven was left as an Inselberg, an "island-mountain", hence the prominence of the peak.
From the coast to the west Suilven looks like a large grey pillar, hence the name which it was given by sea-borne Vikings. From the inland side the mountain has more of the appearance of a pyramid.
In 2005 Glencanisp estate, of which Suilven forms part and the neighbouring Drumrunie estate, were bought by the local community with the help of the John Muir Trust. The Assynt Foundation aims to create local employment and safeguard the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations, and for the enjoyment of the wider public.
Another route starts from Inverkirkaig, some 4 km south of Lochinver: this route reaches the bealach from the south, passing Kirkaig Falls on the way. One may also start from Elphin, on the eastern side. It is possible to reach the ridge without first climbing to Bealach Mòr from this direction, though very exposed scrambling is required, particularly between Meall Meadhonach and Meall Beag.
By Scottish standards all routes to Suilven are long days; all are around 25 km in length over rough terrain.
Category:Grahams Category:Marilyns of Scotland Category:Mountains and hills of the Northwest Highlands Category:Monadnocks
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
![Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110311170941im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/a7/b0/1a5b5edec2d09e13fea34a9faceb_grande.jpg "Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.")
![Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110311170941im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/b4/c4/7565126199adbab184eb9767be89_grande.jpg "Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.")
![Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110311170941im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/a7/b0/1a5b5edec2d09e13fea34a9faceb_thumb.jpg "Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.")
![Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.](http://web.archive.org./web/20110311170941im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/b4/c4/7565126199adbab184eb9767be89_thumb.jpg "Canisp (Scottish Gaelic: Canasp [1]) is a mountain in the far north west of Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Assynt, in the county of Sutherland, 25 kilometres north of the town of Ullapool. Canisp reaches a height of 847 metres (2779 feet) and qualifies as a Corbett and Marilyn hill. The mountain's name translates from the Old Norse language as “White Mountain”.")
