Sgurr Mhic Choinnich

About Sgurr Mhic Choinnich

Situated at the heart of the Black Cuillin, this narrow Munro offers some of the ridge’s most exhilarating scrambling. Reaching the summit via the airy crest or the famous Collie’s Ledge requires a steady head and sure footwork on abrasive gabbro, overlooking the depths of Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Shoot.

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Did You Know?

• •The peak is named after John MacKenzie, the legendary Skye guide who made the first ascent in 1887. It holds the distinction of being the first mountain in the British Isles named after a professional mountain guide.
• •Many walkers reach the summit via Collie’s Ledge, a remarkably level but highly exposed rock terrace that traverses the western face. It was discovered by Professor Norman Collie, the pioneering mountaineer who formed a lifelong climbing partnership with John MacKenzie.
• •The direct route from the south involves King’s Chimney, a classic but daunting V.Diff rock climb. Most ridge-traversers opt for the scramble of Collie's Ledge to avoid the sheer technicality of this vertical crack.
• •The mountain is composed of gabbro, a volcanic rock prized by scramblers for its immense friction. However, its high iron content can cause compass needles to deviate significantly, making navigation in mist particularly treacherous.
• •The summit offers an intimate perspective of the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Sgùrr Dearg to the north, and a dizzying look down the Great Stone Shoot toward the turquoise waters of Coire Lagan.
• •The ascent from Coire Lagan involves the infamous An Stac scree slopes; it is a place where your progress is measured in inches, and your descent is measured in the amount of gravel found in your boots at the end of the day.