Sgùrr Mòr

Sgùrr Mòr is a 1,003-metre Munro and Marilyn standing in the remote Highland wilderness between Loch Quoich and Loch Arkaig. Its Gaelic name means ‘big peak’, and the mountain’s steep, grassy southern flanks rise sharply above the lonely Glen Kingie. To the west the Coire Rèidh corrie cuts into the massif, while to the east a col at about 700 metres links it to the neighbouring Corbett Sgùrr an Fhuarain. The northern faces of both summits are rockier, and a short east–west ridge carries the highest point marked by a cairn at its western end. From there a narrow rocky spur drops north to Meall a’ Choire Charnaich above Loch Quoich, and another ridge runs south-east towards the col and the wide Coire Buidhe corrie. The mountain’s remoteness demands long approaches from the nearest road. Walkers usually start at the tiny settlement of Strathan at the end of the single-track road along Loch Arkaig and climb into upper Glen Dessarry. The route crosses the watershed into Glen Kingie, then heads cross-country to the col between Sgùrr Mòr and Sgùrr an Fhuarain. A longer alternative follows old stalkers’ paths over the Bealach to An Eag and up the South-West Ridge via Sgùrr Beag. Some climbers link the ascent with the nearby 953-metre Munro Sgùrr nan Coireachan. In Glen Kingie the Kinbreack Bothy offers basic shelter, and the glen can also be reached from Glen Garry by way of the Loch Quoich dam. On the summit the views stretch across the rough country of Lochaber to Knoydart and the islands of the Inner Hebrides. The ridge walk rewards careful scramblers with airy pinnacles and steep drops into Coire Buidhe. Below, the dark waters of Loch Quoich reflect the mountain’s profile, while to the north the cliffs of Coire Rèidh plunge toward Glen Dessarry. The sense of solitude is complete, broken only by the occasional eagle circling above the high corries.