Cnap nan Gobhar

About Cnap nan Gobhar

Rising above the northern flanks of the Red Cuillin, this rounded granite peak offers a quieter alternative to Skye's more famous summits. Characterised by steep, heathery slopes and shifting red scree, the climb rewards walkers with an intimate perspective of the neighbouring Beinn na Caillich and the sprawling waters of the Inner Sound.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Hill of the Goats,' reflecting the historical use of these lower granite slopes for hardy livestock grazing.
• •As part of the Red Hills, the terrain is composed of granophyre, which weathers into the smooth silhouettes and distinctive pinkish scree slopes typical of this part of Skye.
• •The summit provides a superior vantage point for looking north over the islands of Scalpay and Raasay, backed by the dramatic mountain profiles of the Applecross peninsula on the mainland.
• •Walkers often reach this peak via an ascending ridge from the northeast, frequently linking it with the higher Beinn na Caillich to complete a rugged horseshoe above Broadford.
• •Despite the name, modern visitors are considerably more likely to encounter a stray sheep or a very determined hillwalker than an actual goat on these slopes.