Is this the greatest mountain in Scotland? For our series of bite-sized intros to Britain's best loved hills, James Roddie takes on the monumental An Teallach.

Height: 1062m

Personality: In a word? Spiky. Majestic, complex and a little intimidating, some say An Teallach is the greatest mountain in Britain. When you catch it with sunrise glowing on the red sandstone of its famous pinnacles, it's hard to argue with that.

What's in a name? From Gaelic – The Forge. Perhaps that's the sunrise glowing on those pinnacles, again.

Does it deserve its reputation? The full traverse of An Teallach is arguably the most serious ridge traverse on the Scottish mainland – a committing grade 3 scramble in summer and a high end grade II winter mountaineering route. Whilst confident scramblers / winter mountaineers may find it straightforward, it certainly isn't for the inexperienced and in bad weather or challenging snow conditions a traverse can turn into an epic fairly easily.

But it is as good as everyone says? Yes! If you're experienced, fit and choose the right day then it's one of the most enjoyable hill days in the UK. An Teallach's position on the edge of the Fisherfield 'Great Wilderness' makes it an exceptional viewpoint, and its exposed scrambling, dramatic corries and remoteness ensure an adventurous atmosphere.

Greatest route: You could tick An Teallach's two Munro summits without setting hand to rock, but that would be to do yourself and the mountain a disservice. It's all about the pinnacles. Whether you go clockwise (easier) or the reverse (which involves a hard downclimb or abseil) the full traverse of the mountain taking in the Corrag Bhuidhe Pinnacles is easily the best way to enjoy An Teallach. For details see this UKH Route Card.

For bonus points, a winter traverse also incorporating one of the classic grade I gullies is an adventure with few equals in Scotland - see this UKH article.

Or if you're feeling energetic, you could try ultra distance runner John Fleetwood's 50-mile Round of An Teallach.

And if the weather is bad? A walk into the stupendous Coire Toll an Lochain is a highly enjoyable 'Plan B' for if the weather is too bad to venture on to the ridge. Alternatively, a non-scrambling ascent of the massif's two Munros An Teallach - Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill and No match for crag id:"14104" can be made.

Where to stay? Sail Mhor Croft Hostel is a good walker's base in Dundonnel, practically at the foot of the mountain (though closed in mid winter), and there are numerous options for accomodation half an hour's drive away in Ullapool. Shenavall Bothy is a great base for spending a few days in the Fisherfield area, and one of the most beautifully situated bothies in Scotland too.

Where to get a pint afterwards? The Broombeg Bar at the Dundonnell Hotel - with live music and good food on offer.