Scotland
Sgurr a' Choinnich
661M
2169FT
About Sgurr a' Choinnich
Sitting on the jagged ridge between Caisteal Abhail and the Witch’s Step, this rugged Arran peak offers a challenging, rock-strewn environment. It serves as a dramatic vantage point overlooking the deep trough of North Glen Sannox, requiring a steady head for heights and some light scrambling to navigate the granite terrain.
Key Statistics
Rank
15th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Arran
Prominence
?
109m
Nearest Town
Carrick Castle
Geology
The ground here is composed of Beinn Bheula Schist, a rock pressed into distinct layers deep within the Earth's crust.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS159956
Latitude
56.1180°N
Longitude
4.9624°W
Did You Know?
- •Sgùrr a' Choinnich translates from Scottish Gaelic as the "Peak of Moss" or "Kenneth’s Peak." Given the damp, high-altitude mosses found in the crevices of Arran’s granite, the botanical description is the most likely origin for this specific summit.
- •The hill is a vital link on the high-level traverse between the "Castles" (Caisteal Abhail) and the notched gap of Ceum na Caillich (the Witch’s Step), offering a perspective of Arran's most dramatic skyline.
- •Looking south from the summit, walkers get a perfect profile of the A' Chir ridge, arguably the most technical mountaineering terrain on the island, set against the backdrop of Goatfell.
- •Despite standing well below the 3,000ft mark, its position in the "Arran Alps" ensures it feels significantly more alpine and exposed than many mainland hills of a much higher elevation.
- •It provides an excellent vantage point to watch other walkers reconsider their life choices as they approach the near-vertical scramble of the nearby Witch’s Step.