Event information
Suilven (731m) is a iconic, beautiful mountain in Assynt, in North-west Scotland. Its dramatic ridge rises from a moorland loch wilderness. Whilst most people walk in from the west on a long track, an alternative way to access the hill is from the east by canoe. The canoe journey begins near Knockan on the A835. After meeting up in the early afternoon, packing kit into our barrels and dry bag rucksacks, a safety brief and some instruction on paddling we shall begin a 10km journey along Loch Veyatie, which connects to Fionn Loch. After that we will set up camp on the lochside. The next day we will ascend Suilven, from the south, about 6km return with 626m ascent. Once down we will canoe the 10km back to the main road. Max participants: 6. No prior canoeing experience is required.
Kit and Equipment - What to bring?
Please bring the following:
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Day rucksack
- Warm layers, hat, and gloves
- Sunhat, sunglasses, and suncream
- Personal first aid kit
- Spare footwear for the canoe, something you don’t mind getting wet (spare trainers, or wellies are really good)
Canoe, paddles, buoyancy aids, barrels, and dry-bag rucksacks all provided.
Camping Kit
- Sleeping bag (in a waterproof bag) and mat
- Stove, gas, lighter or matches
- Tent
- Food for the evening, breakfast and snacks/lunch for two days.
- Bowl, mug, spoon
- Spare warm clothes in a waterproof bag
- headtorch
We can provide tents, stove and gas upon request
Important Note about the Wind
This trip can only be undertaken if the wind is no stronger than Beaufort scale 4 (13-18 mph) on the surface of the loch. Aspen shall communicate with participants in the days running up to the event to provide an update on the weather. If the wind is to strong customers will have the option to get a refund or switch to a different date. Aspen shall have no liability for accommodation costs that may be incurred for cancelled events.
A Man in Assynt
How best to describe the iconic mountain of Suilven? A good way is to look to the poetry of Norman MacCaig:
Glaciers, grinding West, gouged out
these valleys, rasping the brown sandstone,
and left, on the hard rock below –
the ruffled foreland –
this frieze of mountains, filed
on the blue air –
Stac Polly,
Cul Beag, Cul Mor, Suilven,
Canisp –
a frieze and
a litany.
Who owns this landscape?
Has owning anything to do with love?
For it and I have a love-affair, so nearly human
we even have quarrels. –
When I intrude too confidently
it rebuffs me with a wind like a hand
or puts in my way
a quaking bog or loch
where no loch should be. Or I turn stonily
away, refusing to notice
the rouged rocks, the mascara
under a dripping ledge, even
the tossed, the stony limbs waiting.
I can’t pretend
it gets sick for me in my absence,
though I get
sick for it. Yet I love it
with special gratitude,since
it sends me no letters, is never
jealous and, expecting nothing
from me, gets nothing but
cigarette packets and footprints.
Who owns this landscape? –
The millionaire who bought it or
the poacher staggering downhill in the early morning
with a deer on his back?
Who possesses this landscape? –
The man who bought it or
I who am possessed by it?
False questions, for
this landscape is
masterless
and intractable in any terms
that are human.
It is docile only to the weather
and its indefatigable lieutenants –
wind, water and frost.
The wind whets the high ridges
and stunts silver birches and alders.
Rain falling down meets
springs gushing up –
they gather and carry down to the Minch
tons of sour soil, making bald
the bony scalp of Cul Mor. And frost
thrusts his hand in cracks and, clenching his fist,
bursts open the sandstone plates,
the armour of Suilven;
he bleeds stories down chutes and screes,
smelling of gun powder.
Terms and Conditions
- Participants must disclose information on any relevant medical condition or treatment that may have a bearing on their ability to take part.
- Participants must provide information to Aspen Outdoors Ltd on their skills and experience in the activity (winter hillwalking, summer hillwalking, multi-day treks, bushcraft activities) to help determine their competence and suitability for the activity.
- Participants must read the information about the activity with particular attention to the grade/difficulty of the hike, the length of the day, the distance to be covered, and the height gained.
- The objectives of the event, for example, the ascent of one or more peaks, are not guaranteed, being subject to weather conditions, snow conditions, and the capability and competence of participants in the group.
- The objectives of the event may be modified or abandoned, subject to weather and snow conditions, and the capability and competence of the participants in the group.
- The event may be postponed or cancelled, subject to adverse weather and snow conditions. Should this happen, the company shall either provide a full refund or rearrange the event.
- Participants must consult the equipment list provided by the company and follow other instructions provided to them before the activity to ensure that they are appropriately prepared for the activity.
- During the activity, the participants must follow the instructions of the instructors to ensure their safety.
- If the customer cancels within four weeks of the event that is due to take place, the customer shall not be eligible for a refund.
