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Home   Glossary
The Saddle Title Image
Meaning The saddle
Altitude 1010 metres (3313 feet)      (Munro)
Grid Ref. NG93491306
 OS Landranger Maps Required   
Click to purchase from 
  33   Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn
Only £6.29  (£11.69 Laminated)
The Saddle
(Click to enlarge)

The Forcan ridge and The Saddle. Notice the "V" notch in the middle of the ridge that is the only hard bit, which still has plenty of holds.

© Craig Dunderdale

Image by Craig Dunderdale
Submit A Picture (M)    View Gallery
Mountain Description
The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine are located on the S side of Glen Shiel, to the W of the famous South Glen Shiel Ridge. The Saddle is best known for, the Forcan Ridge, its NE ridge down to Meallan Odhar (610m), which offers a splendid scramble on a narrow crest. Consequently the normal ascent route is by path onto Meallan Odhar. If you wish to avoid the ridge, bear SW to Beallach Coire Mhalagain and then climb NW to the summit avoiding the steepest slope ahead. The Saddle is one peak on a long ridge which bears W then curves N around Coire Uaine offering a longer route to the bealach S of Sgurr Mhic Bharraich where a path returns to Shiel Bridge.
Hazards you may encounter on The Saddle include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (major), greater exposure and steeper rock.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Available Routes
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1508 m 12.28 km 5.5 hrs The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine  Difficult route due to scramble on rocky Forcan Ridge. A classic South Glen Shiel route. 5 / 5
Baggers Gallery Submit a Picture (M)

A beautiful day in Kintail - June 2009

© Graham Murdoch

Image by Graham Murdoch

The gang on the Saddle 30-05-09

© Jim Westwood

Image by Jim Westwood

Me on the Forcan Ridge

© Jim Westwood

Image by Jim Westwood

At the Trig point following an exciting scramble on 13th April 2009

© Bobby Mcginty

Image by Bobby Mcginty

Our good friend David Lever summiting The Saddle, taken from the trig point below its summit.

© Chris Bowles

Image by Chris Bowles

On the Saddle.

© Iain Gillespie

Image by Iain Gillespie
Weather & Maps, etc ...
Links to the nearest available forecast to The Saddle.
Knoydart
by Accuweather
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)
West Highlands
by Met Office
Ladhar Bheinn
by Metcheck
View Location
(Detailed Ordnance Survey maps are available to registered users)
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Comments Submit A Comment (M)
David S Brown
wrote on November 11, 2005:
There is an excellent track which leaves the main Saddle ascent track where it starts the approach to the foot of the Forcan ridge by taking a right turn. If you take the fainter track straight ahead, this contours around the base of the Forcan ridge immediately above a dry stone wall to arrive about 50m below the Bealach Coire Mhalagain. (Visible on Paul Richardson's view from Faochag.) I used this as a descent route after spending time exploring The Saddle rather than bagging Sgurr na Sgine at that trip, so plan to use it as an ascent route for a future walk starting with Sgurr na Sgine.
Ronnie Mutch
wrote on September 4, 2005:
Did the forcan ridge today, fabulous climb!
Odd Job
wrote on July 6, 2005:
The Forcan ridge, 3rd time lucky. Gave up 1st time due to excessive west coast weather. Commiserated in the Clunnie Inn. Tried again in winter, different kettle of fish. Only had my ice axe, would have been happier with crampons, still, made it to the top and returned the same way. Went through 20 Regal King size and most of my vocabulary of 4 letter words, lovely views of my boots in both directions. Not reccomended for the faint hearted, celebrated in the Clunnie again. 3rd time lucky, had another go in summer, great weather, great views well worth the effort. Celebrated at the top this time.
Showing the latest 3 comments. There are 5 available to members.
Local Accommodation Options
Showing the nearest 10 of 57 within 100Km of the summit of The Saddle. Would you like to view all 57?
5.8 km Woodlands (self-catering) - by Shiel Bridge, Inverness-shire, IV40 8HW   Tel: 0118 9462214
6.1 km Skiary - Skiary, Loch Hourn, By Invergarry, Highlands and Islands, PH35 4HD   Tel: 0774 816 2947
15.8 km Alder Cottage - Nostie, Kyle of Lochalsh, Rosshire, IV40 8EQ   Tel: 01875 830566
16.3 km Cluanie Inn - Glenmoriston, IV63 7YW   Tel: 01320 340238
27.1 km Castle Cottage B and B - Lochcarron, IV54 8YB   Tel: 01520 722564
27.1 km Sgurr Alasdair - Main Street, Lochcarron, Strathcarron, Ross-shire, IV54 8YB   Tel: 01463 798526
35.6 km Coulags Croft - Coulags, Strathcarron, IV54 8YU   Tel: 07753 633825
35.6 km Lochcarron Holiday Properties - Strathcarron, Ross Shire, IV54 8YU   Tel: 01520 766288
37.6 km Blaich Cottage - Blaich, Fort William, Invernesshire, PH33 7AN   Tel: 01422 882061
37.8 km Ardgarry Farm - Faichem, Invergarry, Inverness-shire, PH35 4HG   Tel: 01809 501226
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