Scotland
Gars-bheinn
894M
2934FT
About Gars-bheinn
Rising straight from the sea at Loch Scavaig, this formidable peak marks the southern gateway to the Black Cuillin. The ascent over rough gabbro and loose scree is a gruelling introduction to the ridge, rewarding walkers with a staggering, linear perspective across the entire jagged archipelago.
Key Statistics
Rank
27th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
120m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking on tough, dark volcanic rocks called gabbro and basalt. These formed from molten rock within an ancient volcanic center.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG468187
Latitude
57.1892°N
Longitude
6.1922°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Gars-bheinn, translating to 'harsh mountain'. It is an apt description for a peak defined by its abrasive gabbro and famously unstable scree.
- •This summit serves as the traditional starting point for the full Cuillin Ridge Traverse. While the official 11 Munros lie ahead to the north, many mountaineers consider the crossing incomplete without the sea-level start here.
- •The summit provides a unique perspective looking north, where the entire Black Cuillin ridge is visible in one serrated arc, with Sgùrr Dubh Mòr and the Inaccessible Pinnacle dominating the view.
- •Because the mountain rises directly from the coast of Loch Scavaig, climbers often start at sea level after a boat trip from Elgol, bypassing the long walk-in from Glenbrittle.
- •At 894 metres, the hill misses out on Munro status by just twenty metres. After hauling yourself up the unrelenting 2,900-foot slope from the Atlantic, you may find this technicality difficult to appreciate.