Beinn Eighe - Spidean Coire nan Clach

About Beinn Eighe - Spidean Coire nan Clach

Rising sharply above Torridon, this Munro forms the shattered eastern heart of the Beinn Eighe massif. Defined by distinctive pale quartzite scree that resembles a permanent dusting of snow, the summit provides an exceptional, airy perspective over the massive Triple Buttress and the neighbouring giants of Liathach and Beinn Alligin.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is Gaelic for the 'Peak of the Corrie of Stones'. This is a literal description of the final ascent through Coire nan Clach, where the path weaves through a vast, chaotic field of quartzite boulders to reach the summit ridge.
• •The mountain's striking white appearance is caused by a cap of Cambrian basal quartzite. From the shores of Loch Maree, this rock reflects the light so effectively that the peaks often appear to be covered in deep snow even in the middle of summer.
• •The peak sits within the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, which was established in 1951 as the first of its kind in the UK. The primary goal was to protect the ancient remnants of the Scots Pine forests that cling to the lower northern slopes.
• •The summit offers one of the finest views in the Highlands; looking west, you see the dramatic 'horns' of the Liathach ridge, while to the north, the sprawling blue expanse of Loch Maree is framed by the rugged peaks of the Fisherfield Forest.
• •Though Ruadh-stac Mòr is the higher point on the massif, Spidean Coire nan Clach is arguably the more dramatic summit. It is the only point on the main ridge marked with a triangulation pillar, perched on a narrow, rocky platform that drops steeply into the corries below.
• •The ascent via the 'Pony Track' is one of the most well-engineered paths in the Northwest Highlands, built originally to facilitate deer stalking before the area became a haven for hillwalkers and conservationists.
• •Navigating the summit ridge in a thick mist is a reliable way to test your patience; the shattered white blocks all look identical, and the 'path' frequently vanishes into a jigsaw of quartzite that seems designed specifically to scuff your boots.