Am Basteir

Am Basteir is a mountain peak in the northern Cuillin range on the Isle of Skye. It stands at 934 metres and is classed as a Munro. The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic ‘Am Bàisteir’, meaning ‘the baptizer’. Its narrow blade of rock resembles the Inaccessible Pinnacle nearby. The mountain forms part of a dramatic ridge system in the Highlands. The climb is challenging but rewarding. The easiest route starts from Sligachan and follows a path along the Allt Dearg Beag for five kilometres. After reaching a small lochan in Coire a’ Bhasteir, climbers face a steep scree slope. The final section includes a tricky scramble along the east ridge to the summit. At the foot of the western side lies the Basteir Tooth, a large pinnacle similar in shape to the main peak. The ridge itself has a steep vertical drop on one side. Care is needed near the summit due to a three-metre notch called the ‘bad step’. Alternative routes exist to avoid this obstacle safely. The surrounding corrie offers rugged beauty and a sense of isolation.