Scotland
Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
1027M
3369FT
About Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
Reaching the central heart of the Five Sisters of Kintail, this rugged Munro offers a steep, rocky character that distinguishes it from its more rounded neighbours. The ascent from Glen Shiel is relentless but rewarding, leading to a narrow summit crest that feels significantly more alpine and exposed than the initial slopes suggest.
Key Statistics
Rank
27th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
178m
Nearest Town
Kyle of Lochalsh
Geology
You are walking on the Morar Group, a foundation of ancient seafloor sands and muds that were compressed and hardened into the tough, layered rock beneath your boots.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG984149
Latitude
57.1805°N
Longitude
5.3371°W
Did You Know?
- •The Gaelic name translates as the 'Peak of the Black Chest,' a reference to the deep, shadow-filled hollow on the mountain's northern face rather than a physical object.
- •It is the highest of the three official Munros on the Five Sisters of Kintail ridge, a massive wall of rock that dominates the northern side of Glen Shiel.
- •The summit offers an unparalleled view of the jagged Forcan Ridge on The Saddle to the south, while looking west reveals the full length of Loch Duich stretching toward the mountains of Skye.
- •The eastern approach crosses the Bealach na Spainneach (Pass of the Spaniards), named for the Spanish soldiers who occupied these heights during the short-lived Jacobite rising of 1719.
- •The western descent into the Bealach na Carnach consists of a relentless, knee-jarring stone staircase that ensures any sense of summit euphoria is replaced by a deep, technical interest in the durability of your joints.