The Saddle via Forcan Ridge

1 NG972138 Park in the lay-by on the south side of the road. Ignore the track that leads directly from it to the hill (dead end). Walk north-west, using the track just off the road for about 700m. This is a fast and busy road, so be aware of cars behind you. Pass a large gate and cross the bridge. The track you should join starts at NG968142. There is also a car park just north of here, a little further up the road, but you’d still have to do the walk at the end of the day, when you’re also probably tired. The start of the route is quite straightforward. A good path leads you gradually up the mountain. After a long rising traverse, a sharp dogleg leads you to Meallan Odhar. The terrain becomes rougher, slightly scrambly and vague in parts.

2 NG946130 A small cairn next to an ancient looking wall marks the start of the scrambling. A slanted slab 25m to the right of the cairn unlocks the start, and 100m further on, a second rocky barrier blocks the way. Take it straight on. The rock is grippy in the wet. The ridge soon becomes narrow with an intimidating looking climb and the exposure increases. From this narrowing, a series of obstacles line the ridge. Taking them all as directly as you can gives the route it’s deserved scrambling Grade 2 but there is nearly always a good footpath to use instead. Some of the scrambling moves along the crest of the ridge are very precarious and the greatest caution should be maintained to avoid a very damaging fall. At around NG942131 an awkward scoop of rock blocks the way. An exposed step around the left of it should be avoided and if there is any doubt about your ability, just use the path.

3 NG939130 After crossing a small grassy plateau, you reach an abrupt drop. Downclimbing the face is very difficult and potentially dangerous. When facing into the rock, move down and left for the easiest moves.

The safest option might be to take the short gully on the right (as you approach), a few metres in front of the drop, then curve back under the mini buttress. This is still very loose and should be taken just as seriously. Shortly after comes the ‘hand traverse’ – a fun move across a slab but which is easily avoided by staying on the track. Before long, climb up to a summit. Keep left and a short section of ridge leads to the true summit.

4 NG934130

Descend south-east to meet a wall on its left, then cross over it and into the boulder field. The route can be hard to follow here, so continue roughly south-east and the track reappears. Pass some small pools and a ruined metal fence before crossing between the slightly bigger pools of the Lochan Bealach Coire Mhalagain. A steep climb takes you up to a ridge. Turn right and follow a track south-west in a broad curve to Sgurr na Sgine. A final steep climb leads you to a rocky outcrop and a dip, then over to the summit.

5 NG946113 Return the way you came and continue to Foachag to descend to the car park. From the end of the ridge (NG956123) weave your way down the nose of the ridge, in a north-east direction. Cross a stile before crossing the river at NG969135, at some stepping stones. Fight through bracken and exit at the gate you passed at the start.