Tom na Gruagaich

Tom na Gruagaich stands on the ridge of Beinn Alligin in the Torridon Hills of the Scottish Highlands. The mountain forms part of a dramatic skyline between Loch Torridon and Loch Maree, its slopes rising steeply from the surrounding glens. The summit area holds a small cairn and a trig point mounted on a plinth, marking the highest point at 922 metres. Walkers reach it along the main ridge path that links the two lochs, a route known for its fine views. The peak is counted among Scotland’s special lists because of its height and prominence. It qualifies as a Marilyn, a Munro, a Murdo and a HuMP, titles used by hillwalkers and mountaineers. Organisations such as the Scottish Mountaineering Club and the Database of British and Irish Hills keep these lists up to date. The last precise survey of its height was carried out in October 2001. On the summit ridge a visitor finds open ground with short grass and patches of heather. The trig point stands on a flat platform of rock, while the cairn lies a short distance away. From this vantage point the eye travels across the valleys of Torridon and the peaks of Liathach and Beinn Eighe. The air is often clear, carrying the scent of bog myrtle and the sound of distant streams.