Читать книгу Scotland's Best Small Mountains. 40 of the best small mountains in Scotland under 3000ft онлайн

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When the Vikings came to their ‘south land’ – Sutherland – they saw Suilven from the sea and named it ‘pillar mountain’, so much did it dominate the landscape. Today geologists refer to it as an inselberg, or island mountain.

Meall Meadhonach from the summit

An isolated peak rising dramatically out of moorland, Suilven is formed of Torridonian Sandstone capped with Cambrian Quartzite. This tougher quartzite cap protected the sandstone beneath during the ice ages, creating the inselberg shape, as the rocks all around were eroded away. The surrounding landscape, worn down to the ancient Lewisian Gneiss that forms the base here, was scoured out to leave hundreds of little lochans and hummocks.

The human history of the area is pretty groundbreaking too. Sitting above the fishing village of Lochinver, Suilven forms part of the Glen Canisp Estate. In an area of Scotland hardest hit by the Highland Clearances, this estate was long held in private hands.

In 1886, the Lochinver branch of the Highland Land League agreed to demand the restoration to the people of the deer forest of Glencanisp ‘where there is plenty of provision for ourselves and our families. It extends twenty-one miles … and the land of our fathers lying waste.’ In 2005, their demand was met.