Scotland
Sgurr Dubh
738M
2420FT
About Sgurr Dubh
Rising above the remote southern shores of Loch Monar, this rugged peak offers a sense of profound isolation far from the busy Munro circuits. Its craggy northern slopes contrast with gentler southern approaches, rewarding climbers with a commanding view across the Monar Forest toward the massive silhouettes of Lurg Mhòr and Sgùrr a' Chaorachain.
Key Statistics
Rank
157th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
78.9m
Nearest Town
Kinloch Hourn
Geology
You are hiking over ancient, compressed layers of sandstone and muddy rock. These hardened sediments form the rugged, durable foundation of Sgurr Dubh.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG940056
Latitude
57.0951°N
Longitude
5.4021°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Scottish Gaelic for 'Black Peak,' a descriptor common across the Highlands for hills that present a dark, craggy face. On this specific summit, the name reflects the weathered, dark rock of the Monar Forest, which provides a stark contrast to the surrounding grassy glens.
- •The summit offers an exceptional, bird's-eye view of the Loch Monar reservoir and its massive gravity dam to the east, a feat of 1950s engineering that completely transformed the drainage of this remote catchment area.
- •Walkers typically approach this hill from the north via Glen Carron, utilizing the lonely level crossing at Attadale before following a long track through the hills—a route that highlights the true scale of the ancient Monar Forest.
- •Despite its modest height, the hill is often bypassed by those bagging the nearby Munros of Lurg Mhòr and Maoile Lunndaidh, making it a sanctuary for those seeking a more solitary day in the hills.
- •Navigating the summit plateau in mist is a notoriously deceptive exercise; the hill is a series of undulating knolls and dark outcrops that seem designed to offer as many false summits as possible before the true cairn is finally reached.
