Creag na h-Iolaire

Rising above the rugged coastline of Northwest Sutherland near Scourie, this rocky Hump offers a classic taste of Lewisian gneiss terrain. While modest in height, its position overlooking the fractured waters of Loch Laxford provides an intimate perspective on the iconic peaks of Arkle and Ben Stack rising sharply to the east.

• •The name is Gaelic for 'Crag of the Eagle'. Given the steep, craggy nature of its northern slopes and the commanding view over the surrounding moorland, it is a historically fitting name for an area still frequented by golden eagles.
• •The hill is composed of Lewisian gneiss, some of the oldest rock in the world. This ancient geology creates the 'cnoc and lochan' landscape surrounding the summit—a chaotic, undulating mosaic of small rocky knolls and deep peat pools.
• •From the summit, walkers have an excellent vantage point over the Sound of Handa towards the sandstone cliffs of Handa Island, while the massive, quartzite-capped peaks of Foinaven and Arkle dominate the inland horizon to the northeast.
• •Though the ascent is short, it provides a masterclass in Northwest Highland navigation, requiring you to negotiate a pathless terrain of heather, hidden bogs, and the geological equivalent of a Lego-strewn floor.