Fionn Bheinn

Fionn Bheinn, at 933-934 metres, is the forgotten hill of the Achnasheen area — technically one of the Fannichs but isolated from the rest of that range — its wide, grassy, and often wet slopes contributing to its neglect. This isn't a mountain to leave for a claggy day, however, since the summit is a superb viewpoint over the Torridon giants.

The route starts from the car park in the centre of Achnasheen, an attractive spot landscaped in recent years with a small village pond. Heading up the lane to the A832 and crossing near a red telephone box, an old road crosses a stone bridge before a track leads to a water treatment hut, then follows a burn on increasingly open ground. Higher up, the ground dries out and superb views open back towards Torridon, with Liathach, Beinn Eighe, and Slioch all prominent. The route continues to the flat top of Creagan na Laogh, marked by a tiny cairn, before crossing a shallow descent and climbing to the main ridge of Fionn Bheinn, bounded on its northern side by the grassy crags of Toll Mòr — the mountain's most dramatic feature, unsuspected from views off the road. The ridge curves right to the trig point summit, with fine views north across Loch Fannich to the Fannichs range, though the best prospect of all is the unfamiliar angle on the Torridon mountains.

Local legend attaches a grim prophecy to the mountain, foretelling that a raven "attired in plaid and bonnet" would one day drink its fill of human blood on Fionn Bheinn three times a day for three successive days.

A worthwhile return variation continues along the ridge before descending to a well-built stone wall, followed south-east and then south-west down the hillside to an old grassy path — a little overgrown but still distinct, offering the best going across otherwise boggy slopes — before reaching the Achnasheen plantation and returning to the village.

The out-and-back route from Achnasheen is around 12 kilometres, typically four to five hours — easily reached by train or bus given the walk starts right beside Achnasheen railway station.

The route crosses a good deal of boggy terrain including pathless sections, and several regular visitors specifically recommend tackling the stone wall variation in the ascent direction for the best-quality path — full navigation remains valuable given the featureless nature of the lower moorland in poor visibility.

Parking at Achnasheen is free; the village has both a railway station on the Inverness-Kyle line and bus services.