Scotland
Spidean nan Clach
704M
2309FT
About Spidean nan Clach
This rugged Torridonian summit sits high on the Applecross peninsula, offering a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbours. Characterised by steep, shattered slopes and a stony crest, the climb reveals expansive views across the Inner Sound to the Cuillin of Skye and the islands of Raasay and Rona.
Key Statistics
Rank
77th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
35.2m
Nearest Town
Letterewe
Geology
You are walking on transformed lava and flaky, layered rocks from the Loch Maree Group. These formations were reshaped by intense heat and pressure deep underground.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG925764
Latitude
57.7296°N
Longitude
5.4854°W
Did You Know?
- •Gaelic in origin, the name Spidean nan Clach translates to 'peak of the stones.' This refers to the fragmented Torridonian sandstone blocks that litter its upper slopes, a characteristic feature of the weathered geology found throughout the Applecross hills.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for watching traffic tackle the Bealach na Bà to the south. This historic cattle-droving route is famous for having the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level to 626 metres.
- •Walkers often pair this hill with the nearby Sgùrr a' Chaorachain. That neighbour is easily identified from a distance by the tall masts of the Applecross television and radio transmitter located near its summit.
- •From the top, the view west across the Inner Sound is exceptionally clear, allowing you to pick out the distinct profile of the Old Man of Storr on Skye's Trotternish Peninsula on a fine day.
- •The 'stones' mentioned in the name are not mere pebbles; the terrain is a chaotic tumble of sandstone slabs that requires careful footwork, proving that a hill doesn't need to be a Munro to provide a genuine mountain challenge.