Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich

Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich is a Munro rising north of Loch Cuaich in the Highland wilderness. Its steep, rocky northern flanks are split by ridges and corries, while the southern slopes rise more gently in grass. From Kinloch Hourn the mountain shows a dramatic profile of stone and scree. Neighbouring Gleouraich shares the same rugged character. The name in Gaelic means ‘peak of the shellfish’, recalling the ribbed summit that resembles a shell. The peak was once called Sgùrr a' Mhorair, ‘peak of the nobleman’, but modern maps use the shellfish form. A 1979 Gaelic article noted locals still spoke the older name and joked about finding shellfish on the mountain. The usual climb follows a stalker’s path from Loch Cuaich up Bac nan Canaichean ridge to the subsidiary top Sgùrr Coire nan Eiricheallach. From there a 1.5-kilometre ridge leads to the main summit, passing rocky outcrops that can be scrambled or skirted. Visitors reach the shore of Loch Cuaich to begin the ascent. The path crosses open hillside to the subsidiary top, then follows the narrow connecting ridge to the summit. An alternative route starts at Gleann Cuaich, climbing Coire a' Chaorainn to Am Bathaich before crossing a high bealach to the main peak. Both ways offer wide Highland views and a sense of remote upland Scotland.