An Socach

About An Socach

Rising steeply above the northern shores of Loch Mullardoch, this remote Munro is defined by its rugged, rocky character and impressive northern corries. Often tackled alongside its loftier neighbour, Sgùrr na Lapaich, it offers a true sense of isolation in the heart of the wild Glen Cannich hills.

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Did You Know?

• •The name An Socach translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'the snout' or 'the beaked place'. In a topographical context, this refers to a prominent projecting ridge or a blunt, tapering spur of land, a feature characteristic of the mountain's eastern profile.
• •It is most frequently climbed as part of a demanding high-level circuit from the Mullardoch dam. The connecting ridge to its eastern neighbour, Sgùrr na Lapaich, is narrow and rocky, providing some of the most dramatic high-altitude walking in the area.
• •From the summit, the view south is dominated by the vast, often silvery expanse of Loch Mullardoch, while to the west, the remote peaks of the Glen Elchaig and Monar forests create a jagged horizon of true wilderness.
• •Due to the long approach from Cannich and the taxing terrain, many walkers opt for a boat trip across Loch Mullardoch to reach the base of the hill, a logistical shortcut that bypasses several miles of notorious loch-side bog.
• •Despite standing at a respectable 1069m, An Socach is frequently treated by Munro baggers as a mere preliminary to the more celebrated Sgùrr na Lapaich—an assessment the mountain's sheer bulk and steep northern face would seem to protest.