Sgùrr an Airgid

Sgùrr an Airgid is a mountain summit reached along the route from Loch Duich to Cannich in the Scottish Highlands. It stands on a ridge above Gleann Lichd, a steep-sided glen that carries the Allt a’ Mhargaidh burn. The mountain’s name means ‘peak of the silver’ in Scottish Gaelic, though no silver has ever been found there. It is listed as a Marilyn, a Corbett and a HuMP, terms used by hill-walkers to classify peaks by height and prominence. Teams of volunteers regularly check and update these lists on the Database of British and Irish Hills website. The last precise survey of its height was carried out in October 2001. The mountain attracts walkers who want a shorter outing than many Highland peaks. It is often climbed as part of a circuit that includes neighbouring Sgùrr na Carnachan. The path starts beside the minor road that follows the glen, climbing steadily through heather and grass. On the summit ridge there are good views north to the Five Sisters of Kintail and south to the peaks around Glen Affric. The summit itself is marked by a small cairn built by walkers. From the top the ground falls away steeply on all sides into deep corries and narrow glens. The Allt a’ Mhargaidh burn can be seen winding through the valley floor below. On clear days the hills of Knoydart appear to the west, while to the east the distant Munros of Affric and Kintail form a jagged skyline. The ridge walk offers a quieter alternative to busier Highland routes, with only the sound of wind and water breaking the silence.