Scotland
Sgurr nan Caorach
281M
923FT
About Sgurr nan Caorach
Situated on the Sleat peninsula, this modest Marilyn offers a rugged, pathless ascent through classic Skye moorland. Despite its low elevation, the summit provides an unparalleled perspective of the Black Cuillin and Blà Bheinn across Loch Eishort, making it a rewarding short excursion for those seeking solitude away from the island's busier hubs.
Key Statistics
Rank
315th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
216m
Nearest Town
Àird Shlèite
Geology
You are treading on pebbly sandstone and streaky, sheared rock. These are cut by tough bands of cooled volcanic lava that form the mountain’s foundation.
Nearby Fells
Sgurr nan Caorach (old GR)
Cnoc Bealach na Ceardaich
Cnoc Loch Horaveg
Sgurr a' Chaise
Sgurr an Easain Dhuibh
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG593030
Latitude
57.0551°N
Longitude
5.9698°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Scottish Gaelic, translating as 'the peak of the sheep,' a literal description of the hardy livestock that have grazed these Sleat hillsides for centuries.
- •The summit serves as an exceptional grandstand for the Cuillin ridge; the distinctive profile of Blà Bheinn dominates the view to the northwest, perfectly framed by the sea at Loch Eishort.
- •To the west of the hill lies the historic site of Dunscaith Castle, a legendary Norse-Gaelic stronghold famously associated with the warrior woman Scáthach in Celtic mythology.
- •Despite being under 300 metres tall, it is classified as a Marilyn because it drops significantly on all sides, giving it a sense of scale and isolation that belies its modest stature.
- •It is a hill where you are far more likely to encounter a confused ewe than another hiker, a fact reflected in both its name and its reliably boggy approach.