Scotland
The Saddle East Top
959M
3146FT
About The Saddle East Top
Perched on the high, rocky spine above Glen Shiel, this airy summit serves as a dramatic vantage point on the approach to the main peak. The terrain is rugged and distinctly alpine in character, offering a true sense of exposure for those navigating the narrow, shattered crests of this famous mountain massif.
Key Statistics
Rank
26th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
20.9m
Nearest Town
Shiel Bridge
Geology
You are walking across the Morar Group, which consists of hard, compressed sandstone and silty rocks that form this rugged landscape.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG938130
Latitude
57.1614°N
Longitude
5.4115°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'The Saddle' is a translation of the Gaelic 'An Diollaid', which refers to the distinctive curving shape of the high ridge between the summits when viewed from the glens to the north.
- •This top is a significant milestone for those ascending via the Forcan Ridge, a celebrated Grade 2 scramble that involves technical movement over narrow rock steps and steep, flanking drops.
- •The summit provides a focused, head-on view of the 'Five Sisters of Kintail' across the deep trench of the glen, with the sharp, triangular profile of Sgùrr Fhuaran dominating the skyline.
- •To the south, the view opens up into the 'Rough Bounds of Knoydart', a vast and roadless wilderness where the peaks of Ladhar Bheinn and Luinne Bheinn rise above the sea lochs.
- •It is a frequent spot for walkers to pause and regain their composure after the technicalities of the ridge, usually while claiming they were merely stopping to check the map.