ROUTE INFO

Distance 19km (11¾ miles) Total ascent 960m Time 6½ hours Start/finish Ribigill Farm (NC584547)

Nearest town Tongue Terrain A good walk in along tracks gives way to grassy slopes less challenging and steep than the rocky peaks of Ben Loyal might suggest

Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) 447; OS Landranger (1:50,000) 10

Accommodation

Tongue Hostel and basic camping (01847) 611789 www.tongue hostelandholidaypark. co.uk; The Tongue Hotel (01847) 611206 www.tonguehotel.co.uk; Ben Loyal Hotel (01847) 611216 www.benloyal.co.uk

Public transport

There is one bus a day to/from Inverness to Tongue. Contact Traveline Scotland 0871 200 2233 or visit www. travelinescotland.com

Guidebooks Scotland’s

Best Small Mountains by Kirstie Shirra, pb Cicerone Tourist info www. undiscoveredscotland. co.uk/tongue/tongu Best pub The Tongue Hotel for its great local food