An Cruachan

Rising from the rugged Applecross peninsula, this Graham offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Torridon giants. Its rocky, complex terrain is characteristic of the North West Highlands, providing a challenging underfoot experience that culminates in a spectacular vantage point overlooking the Inner Sound and the jagged profile of the Isle of Skye.

• •The name is Gaelic for 'the conical hill' or 'the stack', a descriptor shared by several peaks across Scotland that present a sharp, well-defined profile from a distance.
• •From the summit, walkers gain a commanding view of the Crowlin Islands and the sprawling Applecross hills, with the massive sandstone cliffs of Beinn Bhàn dominating the view to the north.
• •Access is frequently gained from the Bealach na Bà, the historic cattle drovers' pass and famously steep mountain road that reaches an elevation of 626 metres nearby.
• •As a Graham—a Scottish hill between 2,000 and 2,500 feet with a drop of at least 150 metres—it is often climbed alongside its higher neighbour, Sgùrr a' Chaorachain.
• •Navigating the summit plateau in mist offers an excellent chance to practice micro-navigation, as the 'conical' peak actually reveals itself to be a complex series of knolls and peat hags.