The Saddle East Top

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.

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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.