An Sgurr

About An Sgurr

Rising as a dramatic pitchstone ridge above the Isle of Eigg, this volcanic landmark offers a distinctively different character to the surrounding Small Isles. The ascent from Galmisdale culminates in a narrow, rocky spine leading to a summit with staggering views across the Sound of Rum to the jagged Cuillin.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'An Sgùrr', meaning 'The Rocky Peak' or 'The Sharp Rock', an apt description for a summit that represents the largest exposed piece of pitchstone in the United Kingdom.
• •The ridge is a remarkable example of an inverted valley; 59 million years ago, lava from a volcano on neighbouring Rùm filled a river bed, and while the softer surrounding rock eventually eroded away, the harder pitchstone remained as a high ridge.
• •From the summit trig point, the view north is dominated by the formidable peaks of Rùm—specifically Askival and Hallival—while looking south offers a clear perspective over the low-lying Isle of Muck and the distant lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point.
• •Near the base of the cliffs lies the Cave of Frances (Uamh Fhraing), the site of a 1577 clan feud where the MacDonalds of Eigg were suffocated by MacLeods from Skye, a tragedy that defines the island's history.
• •At 394 metres, it technically fails to reach mountain status in most modern classifications, a fact that will seem entirely irrelevant to your calves as you scramble up the steep gully through its sheer southern wall.