Sgùrr na Lapaich

Sgùrr na Lapaich is a Munro in the Northwest Highlands, standing north of Loch Mullardoch between Glen Cannich and Glen Strathfarrar. It is the fourth-highest mountain north of the Great Glen and has no higher ground to its north anywhere in Britain. With a prominence of 839 metres, it commands wide views and is a familiar landmark from the Moray Firth thirty miles away. Locals use its profile to judge the weather. The name means ‘Peak of the Bog’ in Gaelic, though the slopes are mostly ridges, corries and lochans leading to a rocky summit. The mountain is linked by ridges to An Riabhachan to the west and Càrn nan Gobhar to the east. South of the main top is a subsidiary summit, Sgùrr nan Clachan Geala, and to the north a spur ends at Rudha na Spreidhe with views over Loch Monar. Deep glacial corries surround the peak, including Coire nan Each on the east side, which holds snow into late spring. The largest lochan, Loch Tuill Bhearnach, sits in a corrie to the south-east and drains into Loch Mullardoch. Two glens give access routes. From Glen Cannich walkers start at Loch Mullardoch dam, climb Càrn nan Gobhar, then follow a broad east ridge to the summit. From Glen Strathfarrar the route begins at a hydroelectric power station reached by a long private drive, then follows a stalkers’ path to a col before the final climb. The summit carries an Ordnance Survey trig point and offers long views across the Highlands.