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Spidean Coinich (Quinag)

Corbett
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
764 m (2506 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NC20602771
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
219 of 222 Corbetts
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Milk bucket (Mossy peak)
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  15   Loch Assynt, Lochinver & Kylesku
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Spidean Coinich is the more southerly and smallest of the three Corbetts that comprise the magnificent mountain Quinag in Sutherland.

The main ridge of Quinag runs SSE to NNW, with a Corbett at either end. The W slopes forming a long uninterrupted wall of crags and scree, however the E slopes are dissected by two great corries to form a third NE ridge on which is the highest top (Sail Gharbh, 808m (Corbett)), the true summit of Quinag.

There are few easy ascents onto Quinag, the SE slopes of Spidean Coinich, and at the heads of the two great corries being the most obvious. Other ascents are best left to the experienced route finders.

Hazards you may encounter on Spidean Coinich include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
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.
Picture Gallery for Spidean Coinich

Quinag, with Loch Bealach a' Bhuirich; May 1982.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen

Spidean Coinich and the unnamed 713m top, with Lochan Bealach Chornaidh below, seen from the ridge to Sail Garbh.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The summits of Quinag seen from Canisp on a fine spring day.

© Peter Chisholm
Image by Peter Chisholm

Spidean Coinich and Lochan Bealach Chornaidh from the beginning of the stalkers path below the bealach. A quick and very easy route back to the car park.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 10 Images for Spidean Coinich

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Ben Hope
by Metcheck
Spidean Coinich Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Spidean Coinich.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Spidean Coinich
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1232 m 13.66 km 5 hrs Sail Gharbh, Sail Ghorm and Spidean Coinich  This magnificent mountain looks quite intimidating yet it is not a particularly difficult hill as long a as you can tolerate some exposure and don’t mind using your hands occasionally.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Spidean Coinich

  Baggers Gallery for Spidean Coinich

Me on the top of Spidean Coinich, 6th June 2013. The cloud did eventually clear!

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Me,Kevin And Ponty on Summit 03/07/2011

© David Peden
Image by David Peden

Quinag-Sail Gorm & Sail Gharbh

© Keith Waugh
Image by Keith Waugh

Me on route to the top. Taken back in May 2004

© Kevin Mckeown
Image by Kevin Mckeown
View All 5 Baggers Images for Spidean Coinich
The logging section stores any entries for Spidean Coinich in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Andrew Prentice on 04 Jul 2023
Roel Bouwman on 06 May 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Spidean Coinich, Sail Ghorm and Sail Gharbh
by David McSporran
Spidean Coinich and Sail Gharbh
by Graham Gaw
Spidean Coinich, Sail Ghorm and Sail Gharbh
by Stevie Yates

Post a few words about Spidean Coinich or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
David S Brown
wrote on
June 29, 2013
The start of the Quinag route has recently changed. From the car park, follow signs up the stalkers path (NW) rather than cutting across the boggy and eroding moorland. On reaching the top of the rise the track then bears left at a cairn following a flat rocky line (almost a natural 'road') SW until the ridge up Spidean Coinich is gained. No need to ascend the central 745m top three times: there is a good diagonal path onto the Sail Gharbh ridge from Bealach a' Chornaid, and from that ridge another track skirts North around the central top and down onto the Sail Ghorm ridge. A great day out!
Chris Bowles
wrote on
October 31, 2009
The first summit is gained very quickly from the road, where an obvious car is situated. To reach this summit should not take much longer than 1 hour. From here the ridge lies before you, personally I would reccommend traversing the ridge to the far end, before returning to the middle Corbett and then descending back to the road via a shallow coire and a good path. Cracking hill, well worthy of a long drive to reach.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 21 Nov 2009 Quinag. Darran Eccleston Sail Gharbh, Spidean Coinich and Sail Ghorm
 
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