Beinn Sgritheall

Beinn Sgritheall is a Munro in the Northwest Highlands, rising 974 metres above Glenelg peninsula. Its Gaelic name means ‘scree mountain’, describing the loose rock on its slopes. The peak stands between Loch Alsh and Loch Duich to the north, and Loch Hourn to the west and south. Two ridges curve north-east from the summit, enclosing a high corrie. The mountain’s narrow crest runs parallel to Loch Hourn’s north shore, with crags and scree on its west face. The view from the top is one of Scotland’s finest, taking in twelve islands and over a hundred named peaks. Sir Hugh Munro called it “perhaps the most beautiful I have seen in Scotland.” From the summit you can see the isles of Jura, Rùm and Mull, the mountains of Knoydart, Skye and Moidart, and Ben Nevis. Hamish Brown wrote he would not swap this view “for any mountain view in the world.” The mountain’s schistose rock adds texture to the landscape. Walkers usually start at Arnisdale beside Loch Hourn or follow Gleann Beag to the north. A traverse along the west ridge and south-east ridge leads back to Arnisdale in about three kilometres. The forest of Coille Mhialairigh and remote corries add variety to the route. The brochs in Gleann Beag are a notable feature along the northern approach. The steep south face drops nearly 1,000 metres to Loch Hourn in less than two kilometres.