Sgùrr na Sgine

Sgùrr na Sgine is a 946-metre Munro in the Northwest Highlands, standing eight kilometres south of Shiel Bridge between Glen Shiel and Loch Hourn. Its Gaelic name means ‘knife peak’, describing the blade-like rock wall on its eastern flank. Though often overlooked beside its neighbour The Saddle, the mountain offers dramatic views from remote vantage points. The best valley-level sighting comes from the Mam Barrisdale pass, where its profile appears sharper than The Saddle’s. The subsidiary summit Faochag reaches 909 metres and was once classified as a Top before remapping in 1974. The mountain’s steep north ridge, nicknamed ‘Concorde Ridge’ by hill walker Hamish Brown, provides a challenging ascent. Brown coined the name after a startled ptarmigan flock startled him during a winter descent. East of the summit, cliffs drop precipitously toward Bealach a Toiteil, so walkers must skirt them carefully. The col Bealach Coire Mhalagain at 699 metres links Sgùrr na Sgine to The Saddle, making a combined climb a classic route. A direct route from Achnangart Farm in Glen Shiel rises almost from sea level, gaining height quickly before easing toward the summit plateau. The summit has two high points: the North West Top at 942 metres and the main peak 300 metres southeast and four metres higher. From here, the Forcan Ridge on The Saddle is clearly visible to the north. To the northeast, the Kintail Forest Munros stretch across the horizon. South-westward, the remote Knoydart peninsula appears in the distance. A circuit of Coire Toteil can extend the walk to include the Corbett Sgùrr a’ Bhac Chaolais before returning to Glen Shiel.