Sgùrr na Càrnach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sgùrr na Càrnach |
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Sgùrr na Càrnach from Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe with Loch Duich in the background.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,002 m (3,287 ft) |
| Prominence | 134 m (440 ft) |
| Listing | Munro |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Peak of the Stony Place |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kintail, Scotland |
| Parent range | Northwest Highlands |
| OS grid | NG977158 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 33, OS Explorers 414 |
Sgùrr na Càrnach is an amazing mountain located in Scotland. It stands tall on the northern side of Glen Shiel, about 24 kilometers southeast of Kyle of Lochalsh. This mountain is super special because it's one of the famous "Five Sisters of Kintail". The other two main peaks in this group are Sgùrr Fhuaran and Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe.
Sgùrr na Càrnach reaches a height of 1002 meters (that's about 3270 feet!). Because it's over 3000 feet tall, it's called a Munro. A Munro is a mountain in Scotland that is 3,000 feet (914.4 m) or higher. The very top of Sgùrr na Càrnach is rocky and covered in boulders. This fits its Gaelic name perfectly, which means "Peak of the Stony Place".
Contents
Becoming a Munro: A Mountain's New Status
For many years, from 1891 to 1997, Sgùrr na Càrnach wasn't considered a separate Munro. Instead, it was just seen as a smaller part, or "Top," of the nearby Munro called Sgùrr Fhuraran.
Why Sgùrr na Càrnach Changed Its Rank
Things changed in 1997. The Scottish Mountaineering Club looked at all the mountains again. They decided that Sgùrr na Càrnach was special enough to be its own Munro. This was because it rises 134 meters (about 440 feet) above the land around it. This height difference, called topographic prominence, showed it was a distinct mountain.
Exploring Sgùrr na Càrnach's Shape
Sgùrr na Càrnach has very steep sides. On its western side, the mountain drops sharply down into Glen Shiel. To the east, it falls steeply into a deep valley called Coire Domhain.
The Mountain's Main Ridges
The mountain has a main ridge that runs from north to south. This ridge connects Sgùrr na Càrnach to Sgùrr Fhuraran in the north and Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe in the south. There's also a smaller ridge on the northwest side. This ridge goes down steeply to Glen Shiel. However, hikers don't usually use this path. It's hard to cross the River Shiel in the valley below, and the ridge itself is very, very steep.
Hiking to the Top of Sgùrr na Càrnach
Because Sgùrr na Càrnach is right in the middle of the three main "Five Sisters of Kintail" Munros, most people reach its summit by walking along the ridge from one of its neighbors. Hikers often do the full "Five Sisters" ridge walk, which is a big adventure!
Starting Your Climb
You can try a direct climb up the northwest ridge, but it's tricky. A good starting point for this is Achnangart Farm (grid reference NG963148). You can find parking in an old quarry there. It's important not to try climbing straight up the hillside from the farm, as there are dangerous steep cliffs higher up. Instead, you should walk about 1.5 kilometers north to the bottom of the northwest ridge. From there, you can climb steeply but safely.
The Most Popular Route
The most common way to climb Sgùrr na Càrnach starts further along the Glen (at NH009135). From there, you climb up to a pass called Bealach na Lapain. After that, you cross over Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe to finally reach Sgùrr na Càrnach.
Amazing Views from the Summit
When you reach the top of Sgùrr na Càrnach, you'll be rewarded with incredible views! You can see Loch Duich stretching out to the north. You also get a fantastic bird's-eye view looking down into Coire Domhain to the east. It's a perfect spot to take in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands!
