An Socach

About An Socach

Rising above the remote upper reaches of Glen Ey, this broad-backed Munro is often overlooked in favour of its rockier Cairngorm neighbours. It offers a straightforward, grassy ascent with an expansive, plateau-like summit ridge. The true high point sits at the western end, providing clear, unobstructed views across the desolate Invercauld Forest.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Gaelic 'An Socach', meaning 'the snout' or 'the place of the beak'. This refers to the mountain's long, projecting ridge that juts out between the glens, a shape common to several Scottish hills sharing the name.
• •For many years, Ordnance Survey maps incorrectly highlighted the eastern 938-metre top as the summit. Modern surveys confirm the true Munro high point is actually the western cairn, which sits six metres higher at 944 metres.
• •While it can be reached via a steep climb from the Baddoch Burn near Glenshee, the more classic approach follows the long, scenic track through Glen Ey from Inverey, passing the ruins of Auchelie and the famous Colonel’s Bed gorge.
• •From the summit ridge, the view south is dominated by the sprawling Beinn a' Ghlo massif, while looking west provides a grand perspective of the remote, high-altitude wilderness of the Upper Dee.
• •Lacking the jagged teeth of the nearby Cairngorms, its smooth, grassy slopes are remarkably kind to the knees, making it one of the few places in the Highlands where you can maintain a decent pace without constantly checking your footing.