Hill: Sgurr a'Gharaidh
Date: Friday 4th April 2014
Company: Just myself
Distance: 8.3km, Ascent: 725m
Time: 3Hrs 35Mins


After spending last night in Garve, it was a fairly short journey this morning to reach the starting point for Sgurr a'Gharaidh. Of several potential starting points, I opted for an ascent from Loch an Loin on the Kishorn to Sheildaig road.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

After getting suited and booted, I set off down the track to Glasnock skirting round the South end of Loch an Loin.

Sgurr a'Gharaidh across Loch an Loin:


Loch an Loin:


On reaching Glasnock, I started to make my way up the grassy hillside aiming for an open gate in the fence above.

Beinn Bhan across Loch an Loin:


Once beyond the gate, I followed various faint animal tracks.

Ascending lower slopes of Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


I was perspiring fairly profusely as I made my way up the hill so had to stop to take off my winter fleece which was definitely unnecessary today. There were various signs of spring including primroses in bloom and midge!

Looking back towards Beinn Bhan and Loch an Loin:


On reaching numerous easy-angled rock outcrops, I made my way up the rocks. The rocks are really nice to walk up.

Ascending Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


As I gained more and more height I got increasingly good views of surrounding hills and lochs albeit with bits of cloud in between.

Loch Coultrie and Loch Damh:


Loch Kishorn:


On reaching a height of circa 400m, I made my way across to a line of rusty fence posts and commenced following them up the ridge.

Approaching the West ridge of Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


Following the rusty fence posts:


There is a small crag on the ridge that is not marked on the map. I decided to stick to the ridge picking an easy line up the crag. By the time I was about half-way up, I had already decided that I wouldn't be coming down this way.

Craggy section on ridge:


Once at the top of the small crag, the going was straight-forward to the summit.

Looking towards the summit of Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


Looking towards the summit of Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


The final section of ascent was fairly steep but without difficulties.

Looking across Lochan Meall na Caillich towards Loch Kishorn:


I initially made my way across to the large cairn thinking it was the summit. However, I could see a small cairn in the distance that was obviously higher. I therefore carried on from the large cairn to visit the summit cairn. I am glad I did as the Database of British Hills confirmed the small cairn to be the summit.

Large cairn near summit of Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


At the summit, I stopped to take several photographs. I have a feeling this hill would be an outstanding viewpoint on a good, clear day. There are some sizeable drops beyond the summit cairn which is perched at the top of a cliff.

Small summit cairn of Sgurr a'Gharaidh:


View from summit:


View towards Loch Carron from summit:


Panorama from summit:


During the return from the summit, it was nice to spot a ptarmigan with a mix of winter and summer plumage.

Ptarmigan:


I avoided the crag during the return by following the fenceposts instead of sticking to the ridgeline.

Following the fence posts during descent:


Looking back:


Despite the clag, this was a really enjoyable hill. One I may do again on a perfect, blue-sky day.