Scotland
Sgurr nan Saighead
929M
3048FT
About Sgurr nan Saighead
Sitting prominently among the Five Sisters of Kintail, this sharp peak offers some of the finest ridge walking in the Northwest Highlands. Though a Munro Top of neighbouring Sgurr Fhuaran, its dramatic western face and airy summit feel entirely independent, providing exceptional views over Loch Duich and towards the Isle of Skye.
Key Statistics
Rank
55th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
107.5m
Nearest Town
Innis a' Chrotha
Geology
You are walking on hard, compressed sandstone from the Morar Group. This durable rock, called psammite, forms the rugged foundation of this peak.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG974177
Latitude
57.2051°N
Longitude
5.3559°W
Did You Know?
- •The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'Sgùrr nan Saighead', meaning Peak of the Arrows, likely a reference to the jagged, splintered appearance of the rocks along its narrow summit crest.
- •It is the second 'Sister' when traversing the Five Sisters of Kintail ridge from the west, situated between Sgurr na Moraich and the range's highest point, Sgurr Fhuaran.
- •The hill’s western slopes drop precariously and near-continuously for over 900 metres into the depths of Glen Shiel, making it one of the most dramatically steep hillsides in the country.
- •While it lacks the full Munro status of its neighbours, many walkers consider its narrow, shattered ridge to be the most aesthetically pleasing and characterful section of the entire Kintail traverse.
- •Looking north-west from the summit, the view aligns perfectly with the length of Loch Duich, often catching the sun reflecting off the water near the village of Dornie.
- •The descent towards Sgurr na Moraich is notoriously hard on the knees, proving that in the Highlands, the distance on the map rarely accounts for the actual effort required by your joints.