Sgurr na Sgine

About Sgurr na Sgine

Often overshadowed by its dramatic neighbour, The Saddle, this rugged Munro offers a sharp, craggy ascent from Glen Shiel. The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for viewing the jagged Five Sisters of Kintail to the north and the silhouette of the Skye Cuillin across the western seas.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Sgurr na Sgine translates from Scottish Gaelic as the 'Peak of the Knife'. This most likely refers to the sharp, narrow profile of its eastern ridge, Faochag, which cuts a distinctive shape when viewed from the floor of Glen Shiel.
• •Most walkers approach the summit via the Bealach Coire Mhalagain. This high pass links the hill to its more famous neighbour, The Saddle, allowing both Munros to be completed in a single, strenuous circuit.
• •The summit offers what many consider the finest view of the Forcan Ridge. From this perspective, the full, jagged scale of the ridge’s crest is visible, providing a clear sight of scramblers tackling the 'Bad Step' on the opposite side of the corrie.
• •The mountain displays a marked character split: its northern and eastern faces are defined by steep, dark crags and rocky ribs, while the southern slopes falling away towards Glen Quoich are significantly gentler and mostly comprised of trackless grass and heather.
• •If you choose the direct ascent via the relentless, 700-metre grassy slog of Faochag, you will quickly discover why it is named 'The Whelk'—the climb is a slow, spiralling test of calf muscles that feels significantly longer than it looks on the map.