Sgùrr a' Chaorachain

Sgùrr a’ Chaorachain stands in the remote Highland hills 15 kilometres east of Strathcarron and 15 kilometres south-west of Achnasheen. Its Gaelic name means ‘peak of the rowan place’. The mountain is the highest point in a lonely stretch of country north of Loch Monar and south of Glen Carron. To its immediate west rises the 999-metre Sgùrr Choinnich, and together they form a massif overlooking the north-west end of Loch Monar. From the broad summit plateau a cairn marks the highest point, and three ridges radiate outward. The mountain is usually climbed from the north because the loch blocks easier approaches from south or east. Walkers normally tackle both Sgùrr a’ Chaorachain and Sgùrr Choinnich together. They park beside the A890 at Craig, between Achnasheen and Achnashellach, and follow the Allt a’ Chonais valley to the foot of the northern slopes. From there either the north-east ridge or the grassy north face can be used to reach the top. The summit plateau is wide and grassy, with steep, rocky flanks on the north and east sides. The eastern ridge stretches for nearly two kilometres at almost the same height, curving gently south-east towards Bidean an Eòin Deirg. The northern ridge drops into Gleann Fhiodhaigh, a glen watered by the upper Meig and home to the solitary Glenuaig Lodge. The western ridge crosses a col at about 860 metres to link with Sgùrr Choinnich. The mountain’s slopes are mostly moderate grassland, though steeper and rockier ground appears in Coire Choinich and along the long eastern ridge.