Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe |
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Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe (left) with Sgùrr nan Spainteach in front from Sàileag. The adjoining Munro of Sgùrr na Càrnach is to the right.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,027 m (3,369 ft) |
| Prominence | 178 m (584 ft) |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Peak of the Black Chest or Coffin |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kintail, Scotland |
| Parent range | Northwest Highlands |
| OS grid | NG984149 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 414 |
| Listed summits of Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe | ||||
| Name | Grid ref | Height | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sgùrr nan Spainteach | NG991150 | 990 m (3248 ft) | Munro Top | |
Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe is a Scottish mountain. It is found on the north side of Glen Shiel in the Highland area. This mountain is about 27 kilometres (17 miles) southeast of Kyle of Lochalsh.
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About Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe
Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe stands 1027 metres (3369 feet) tall. This makes it the 104th highest Munro in Scotland. A Munro is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) high.
Part of the Five Sisters
This mountain is one of the famous Five Sisters of Kintail. The other two Munros in this group are Sgùrr Fhuaran and Sgùrr na Càrnach. Many hikers enjoy climbing all five peaks in one long walk.
What Does the Name Mean?
The mountain's name comes from the Gaelic language. It means "Peak of the Black Chest or Coffin." No one is completely sure why it has this name. Some think it refers to a deep, rocky hollow near the top. This hollow can be tricky to navigate in bad weather. Others believe the name refers to a deep valley on the mountain's southwest side.
Mountain Features and History
Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe has some interesting features. Its south face is very steep. It drops almost 1000 metres (3280 feet) down to Glen Shiel. This makes it one of the steepest grassy slopes in Scotland.
Nearby Peaks and Ridges
To the west, a ridge connects Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe to another Munro, Sgùrr na Càrnach. The ridge also goes east to the Bealach an Lapain. From there, it climbs up to the Munro called Sàileag.
Sgùrr nan Spainteach: Peak of the Spaniards
On the eastern ridge of Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe is a smaller peak. It is called Sgùrr nan Spainteach, which means "Peak of the Spaniards." This peak is 990 metres (3248 feet) high. Its unusual name comes from a battle that happened nearby.
The Battle of Glen Shiel
In 1719, the Battle of Glen Shiel took place on the mountain's southern slopes. About 300 Spanish soldiers fought bravely in this battle. They were helping the Jacobite rebels, who lost the fight. Locals named the peak in their honor.
Prince Charlie's Stone
There is a large boulder on the steep southwest slopes. It is known as "Prince Charlie's Stone." In the summer of 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie hid here. He was trying to escape government troops after the Battle of Culloden. There was a large reward for his capture at the time.
The Moving Summit
The very top of Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe has actually moved a little. It has slipped about 5 to 10 metres (16 to 33 feet) because of a crack in the Earth called the Glen Shiel Fault. This fault line makes some parts of the ridge difficult to cross. It has also created deep cracks on the mountain's upper south face. One of these cracks is likely the "black chest" that gives the mountain its name.
How to Climb Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe
A common way to climb Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe starts from the A87 road in Glen Shiel. There is a parking spot at grid reference NH009135. The climb is quite steep up the hillside. You reach the Bealach an Lapain, and then follow the eastern ridge to the summit.
From the top, you get amazing views of the area. Many people continue their walk along the Five Sisters ridge. This longer walk ends about eight kilometres (five miles) from the start, near the shores of Loch Duich.
