Portal:Scotland/Selected picture/March, 2011



Suilven (Sula Bheinn) is one of the most distinctive mountains in Scotland. Lying in a remote area in the west of Sutherland, it rises almost vertically from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs and lochans known as Inverpolly National Nature Reserve. The mountain forms a steep-sided ridge some 2 km in length. The highest point, known as Caisteal Liath (the Grey Castle in Scottish Gaelic), lies at the northwest end of this ridge. There are two other summits: Meall Meadhonach (Round Middle Hill) at the central point of the ridge is 723 m high, whilst Meall Beag (Round Little Hill) lies at the southeastern end.

Geologically, Suilven is formed of Torridonian sandstone, sitting on a landscape of Lewisian Gneiss. As the softer rocks eroded Suilven was left as an Inselberg, an "island-mountain", hence the prominence of the peak. From the coast to the west Suilven looks like a large grey pillar, hence the name which it was given by sea-borne Vikings. From the inland side the mountain has more of the appearance of a pyramid.

Photo credit: Grinner