The Fisherfields and Torridon are absolutely epic. Fisherfields for the sheer remoteness and Torridon for the sheer awe of the mountains.
The Fisherfield 6 (5 Munros and a demoted Munro) is a classic round which is best done wild camping. It boasts the best views in Britain and has two notorious rivers to cross/wade through/swim as well as the worst bog to traverse in Scotland.
The weather had been dry for some time before we headed in. However a weather window meant that we knew the cloud would be bringing rain but hopefully an easier river crossing. So it proved! We went in and pitched our tents near Sheneval Bothy and headed up Ruadh Stac Mhor and A'Mhaigdean. However with the difficult terrain and weather closing in we decided to head back rather than carry on along the ridge. A night traverse across the bog by headtorch and a tired wade across the rising river meant wet boots, a late dinner but a big and fabulous day out learning campcraft, hill craft in the remotest area in Britain and also never to underestimate the effect of heavy rain on dry mountains.
A 3am soaking in the tents meant a quick retreat to the bothy and by the morning we were reliably informed by folks who had walked in that the river was now neck height and impossible to cross. So we walked out!
The next few days saw us tackle some of the mountains which can bring terror to Munro baggers - An Teallach, Beinn Alligan and Liathach. However with a cute doggy in the group we were able to do the first two avoiding anything that would have been stressful for her (she is called Holly). For Liathach, she wisely gave the day a miss as she was knackered!
These mountains contain pinnacles and tricky crags. They are made of distinctive Torridonian Sandstone often topped with quartzite. The sandstone can be as old as 1200 million years laid down in the Cambrian.
They make for steep ground ascents and descents and some hair raising scrambles!
An Teallach (The Forge) has two Munros on it - Bidean a' Ghlas Thuill (1,062m / 3,484ft) and Sgurr Fiona (1,060m / 3,478ft). Despite being the slightly lower summit, Sgurr Fiona is a fine cone summit.
Beinn Alligin also has two Munros on it and the famous Horns of Alligin - three notches of steep sandstone. The Munros themselves offer incredible views across to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
Liathach from the road looks inpenetrable. There appears to be no line of weakness one can exploit to get on it. It is steep and impressive with a series of pinnacles between the two Munros. However, a good track heads steeply up and even more steeply down - the last thing you need after a good day out scrambling. However it is one of the finest hills in Scotland.