Sail Mhor

The Sail Mhor Terraces sit above Dundonnell on the Scottish north-west coast, at about 397 m. In front of launch lies the sea with excellent views out to the Outer Hebrides; behind stand the jagged tops of An Teallach (The Anvil) and the remote Strathnasheallag and Fisherfield Forests. The launch takes N and NE flow. Because of the proximity to the coast, the wind direction can change quite quickly in spring and summer as the sea breeze establishes. Bottom-landing is possible on very rough ground near the parking area, so plan target zones with care.

Launch & conditions

Several launch options exist, but good flights have been made from the terraces beneath Sail Mhor around 350 m above sea level. Reach them by following the rough path that leaves the A832 at Ardessie past a series of fine waterfalls. When the path begins to level, leave it and head west across the Allt Airdeasaidh to reach the edge of the terraces and the good take-off areas.

Getting there & local rules

From Inverness or Ullapool, take the A835 to Braemore Junction and turn off onto the A832 Gairloch coast road. A couple of miles outside Dundonnell, past Camusnagaul, the road crosses the Allt Airdeasaidh with the Ardessie waterfall clearly visible to the left. Limited roadside parking is available here.

Local rules & hazards

Dundonnell lies within the Highland Restricted Area — midweek flying is subject to strict restrictions. Sea breeze can shift the wind direction fast. Heading XC south-east back along the A832 gets tricky: beyond Dundonnell House the valley narrows sharply, landing options are limited by forestry, and the venturi effect at the narrowing can catch out the unwary.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Sail Mhor, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Sail Mhor with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.