Scotland
Sgurr Marcasaidh
580M
1903FT
About Sgurr Marcasaidh
Overlooking the eastern reaches of Loch Maree, this rugged Marilyn offers a superb effort-to-reward ratio. Despite its modest 580-metre height, the summit provides a staggering perspective across to the white quartzite peaks of Beinn Eighe and the wild Letterewe Forest. Expect pathless, rocky terrain and thick, authentic Highland heather.
Key Statistics
Rank
172nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
295m
Nearest Town
Lochluichart
Geology
You are walking on the Ben Wyvis Pelite, where clay-rich rocks were transformed by heat and pressure into the layered stone beneath your feet.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Meall Loch a' Bhealaich
Meall Loch a' Bhealaich
Druim a' Ghiubhais
Druim a' Ghiubhais
Sgurrachd Ire
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH354592
Latitude
57.5934°N
Longitude
4.7555°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic, with 'Sgùrr' meaning a sharp peak and 'Marcasaidh' often interpreted as 'Peak of the Marquess'. It occupies a prominent position at the head of Glen Docherty, acting as a gateway to the mountains of the north-west.
- •From the summit, the view down the length of Loch Maree is world-class, specifically highlighting the ancient Scots Pine-covered islands and the formidable northern cliffs of the Torridon giants, Liathach and Beinn Eighe.
- •The hill is a Marilyn, a classification defined by its 150 metres of prominence; Sgurr Marcasaidh feels particularly independent because it is separated from the higher Beinn a' Mhuinidh by a significant, boggy col.
- •For those weary of the crowds on the nearby Munros, this hill offers a quieter alternative with the same sweeping vistas of the Fisherfield 'Great Wilderness' to the north.
- •At 580 metres, it is technically a 'sub-2000' hill, making it the ideal choice for a short winter day when you want to see the big mountains without actually having to climb all the way up them.