| Name of Top: | Sgurr an Fhidhleir |
| Height: | 703m (2306 ft) |
| Map Reference: | OS Sheet 15; NC 095055 |
| Our Ascents: | August 1991, 1992 August 1993, |
We know this mountain by its English name of 'The Fiddler' and remember it by its small summit perched on a most spectacular cliff. The mountain is easily identified as you turn onto the narrow Drumrunie to Achiltibuie road as the dramatic pointed cliff in the Ben Mor ridge, it dominates the skyline from this side. The view at the top of the page is taken from the main road with Beinn Tarsuinn in the centre foreground, and the top Speicen Coinnich of Ben Mor to the left. The top can be climbed from the road on this side, usually combined with the adjacent Ben Mor Coigach, but as we are already based on the west coast of the Coigach peninsula we start right round at the end of the road at Culnacraig. It is an easy walk and we have made the top on at least three occasions. If you fancy the small summits perched high over precipitous cliffs then this is a classic outing with a very easy approach walk. The best view of the precipitous cliff face will be from Beinn an Eoinn, the double topped mountain that fills the area between Loch Lurgainn and the road, and the ridges of Ben Mor.
The car can be parked at a small parking space near the road end at Culnacraig. As this is a long way from the main road most visitors choose to climb the mountain ridges from the north, hence from this side you are unlikley to meet many other walkers. The climb starts with a clamber up two steep heather slopes in the first kilometre - slopes which are even worse in descent as you invariably miss the slight path that picks it way up the hillside. Once the initial climb has been completed the hillside stretches away for a further 2 km at a gentle incline, the summit of The Fiddler being no more than a shallow bump on the horizon. The ridge of Ben More Coigach stretches forward on the right. A narrow path has now become established through the short heather and a steady walk brings you to the base of the final summit top. Here the surface changes to slabs and loose rocks as you climb the last few feet to the summit cairn. Suddenly you find yourself atop a small rocky pinnacle that is surrounded on three sides by vertical cliffs some 400m high. Is is a very airy situation and you can sit down to admire the panorama over Coigach and Assynt that is laid out at your feet.
The best view of the cliffs is gained from the rocky plateau to the south, towards Ben Mor, where you can view Stac Pollaidh above Lochan Tuath and beyond Beinn an Eoin. From this col you can continue to climb onto the Ben Mor ridge itself; some guides also refer to a descent down the grassy gully next to the cliffs to gain the lochan below - from there follow the Allt Claonaidh north east to the road (not a route that appeals).
An alternative to a straight return to Culnacraig is to explore the ridge to the north west, returning either over the top of Beinn nan Caorach or contouring around the back to the col under Cairn Conmheall. All routes will bring you back to the steep heather slopes above Culnacraig, you have to pick your way down as best you can as finding any path from above is difficult. Whatever route you pick keep clear of the rocky gorges that both streams from the hillside have cut.
