Scotland
Sgurr nan Gillean
764M
2507FT
About Sgurr nan Gillean
Tucked away at the southern end of the Rùm Cuillin, this rugged peak offers a secluded alternative to the island's higher summits. The ascent across shattered rock leads to a narrow ridge with exceptional, unhindered views across the sea to the sharp profile of Eigg and the low plateau of Muck.
Key Statistics
Rank
43rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Data coming soon
Prominence
?
79m
Nearest Town
Kinloch
Geology
You are hiking across the remnants of an ancient volcano. The ground consists of fine volcanic rocks mixed with layers of hardened ash and shattered stone.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NM380930
Latitude
56.9542°N
Longitude
6.3104°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Scottish Gaelic, translating as 'Peak of the Young Men', though the specific individuals or legend behind the title have been lost to history.
- •The mountain is formed from rare ultra-basic igneous rocks, part of a 56-million-year-old volcanic complex that provides a rough, high-friction surface favoured by scramblers.
- •It is a cornerstone of the classic Rùm Cuillin traverse, typically reached after crossing the high bealach from Ainshval or via a long, arduous climb from the abandoned settlement at Papadil.
- •To the north, the summit offers a spectacular architectural view of the ridge, framing the distinctive pointed peaks of Askival and Hallival against the Sound of Sleat.
- •While it shares a name with a much more famous peak on Skye, standing on this summit usually guarantees you significantly more personal space and far fewer queues for a photo.
- •The surrounding slopes are an important habitat for the island's famous red deer population, which has been the subject of one of the world's longest-running ecological studies.