Erin’s Cairn – Ben Hope, Foinaven Beyond, Northern Sutherland

In 2004 I built this cairn on the northern tip of Ben Hope’s summit plateau for my daughter Erin after her birth. It is a spectacular location where the north ridge meets the plateau and the impressive west face drops steeply away. There are expansive views down to Loch Hope, the Kyle of Tongue and the Moine peninsula, and also to the western hills. Here, from the left, Ben More Assynt and Conival are distant; the remote hills between Strath More and the Laxford to Lairg road, Carn Dearg, Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill, Meall Garbh and Sabhal Beag are closer. Quinag is the distant hill just left of the cairn, Arkle, Foinaven and Cranstackie are to the right of the cairn.