Garbh Chioch Mhòr

Garbh Chioch Mhòr is a Munro and Marilyn mountain standing on the Knoydart peninsula in the Highland council area. It rises to 1,013 m at the eastern end of the peninsula, west of Loch Arkaig. The gaelic name means ‘great rough breast-place’. Its western neighbour is the 1,040 m Sgùrr na Cìche, separated by the 845 m Bealach na h-Eangair col. A winding ridge runs roughly west-north-west to south-east, dropping steeply on both sides. The mountain is mainly rock and crag, with the summit marked by a cairn. About 450 m along the ridge stands the 968 m Garbh Chioch Beag, a Munro top rather than a separate Munro. An old dry-stone wall climbs from the River Carnach valley, follows the ridge over both peaks, then continues east to Sgùrr nan Coireachan. The terrain is rough and pathless, demanding careful navigation. Walkers usually start from Inverie on Knoydart and use the Sourlies bothy as a base. A long route follows the south coast to Camusrory before climbing into Coire na Cìche. From Spean Bridge a single-track road leads to Strathan in upper Glen Dessarry, from where a six-hour ascent crosses wegless ground. The ridge itself is a jumble of slabs and boulders, so the dry-stone wall is often used as a handrail.