Sgùrr na Sgine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sgùrr na Sgine |
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Sgùrr na Sgine seen from the outlying top of Faochag
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 946 m (3,104 ft) |
| Prominence | 247 m (810 ft) |
| Parent peak | The Saddle |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Peak of the Knife |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Glen Shiel, Scotland |
| Parent range | Northwest Highlands |
| OS grid | NG944113 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 414 |
| Listed summits of Sgùrr na Sgine | ||||
| Name | Grid ref | Height | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North West Top | NG943115 | 942 m (3090 ft) | Munro top | |
Sgùrr na Sgine is a mountain in Scotland. It is located about eight kilometers (five miles) south of Shiel Bridge. This mountain is found in the Glenshiel Forest, which is at the lower end of Glen Shiel in the Highland District.
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Discovering Sgùrr na Sgine
Sgùrr na Sgine is a special type of Scottish mountain called a Munro. This means it is over 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) high. It is also a Marilyn, which means it stands out from the land around it by at least 150 meters (492 feet). The mountain is 946 meters (3,104 feet) tall.
Even though Sgùrr na Sgine is a great mountain, its neighbor, The Saddle, is often seen as even more impressive. You cannot see Sgùrr na Sgine very well from the main A87 road to the northeast. The best views of it come from the quiet areas to the southwest. From the top of the Mam Barrisdale pass, Sgùrr na Sgine looks even more dramatic than The Saddle.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name Sgùrr na Sgine comes from the Gaelic language. It means "Peak of the Knife." People think this name comes from a wall of rock below the summit on its eastern side. From some angles, this rock wall looks like a sharp blade.
Mountain Features
Sgùrr na Sgine has a smaller peak along its northeast ridge called Faochag. Faochag means "The Whelk" (a type of sea snail). This peak is 909 meters (2,982 feet) high. When you look from the A87 road near the Battle of Glen Shiel site, Faochag looks like a sharp, distinct cone next to The Saddle. This view is considered a classic mountain scene in Scotland.
For many years, Faochag was listed as a "Top" in Munro's Tables. However, in 1974, new maps showed it was not quite tall enough to keep that title. Now, it is a Corbett Top. A Corbett is a Scottish mountain between 2,500 and 3,000 feet high. Faochag stands out by 62 meters (203 feet) from the land around it.
"Concorde Ridge"
The steep and narrow north ridge of Sgùrr na Sgine has a special nickname: "Concorde Ridge." Famous Scottish hill walker Hamish Brown gave it this name. He and a friend were startled by a huge group of scared ptarmigan (a type of bird) while climbing down in winter. They said the birds sounded like a Concorde jet taking off!
The cliffs to the east of the summit are very steep. It is not safe to try to climb straight down them to the Bealach a Toiteil (a mountain pass). Instead, climbers should walk around the side of the cliffs. This way, they can safely reach the pass that connects Sgùrr na Sgine to another mountain called Sgùrr a'Bhac Chaolais.
Climbing Sgùrr na Sgine
Most people who climb Sgùrr na Sgine also climb The Saddle. The two mountains are connected by a col (a low point between two peaks) called the Bealach Coire Mhalagain. This pass is 699 meters (2,293 feet) high.
You can also climb Sgùrr na Sgine as part of a longer trip along the South Cluanie ridge. This ridge has seven Munros south of the Glen Shiel road. However, this makes for a very long and challenging day of hiking.
Direct Ascent and Summit Views
It is possible to climb Sgùrr na Sgine directly from Achnangart Farm in Glen Shiel. This farm is almost at sea level. From there, it is a tough climb up the grassy slopes of the northeast ridge to Faochag. After Faochag, the climb gets easier as you walk towards the summit. There is a rocky scramble up Concorde Ridge before reaching the top.
You can also make a circular hike around Coire Toteil. To do this, you would continue from the summit of Sgùrr na Sgine to climb the Corbett Sgùrr a'Bhac Chaolais. Then, you would descend back to Glen Shiel.
The top of Sgùrr na Sgine has two high points. The North West Top is 942 meters (3,090 feet) high and is a Munro Top. The main Munro summit is about 300 meters (984 feet) further southeast and is 4 meters (13 feet) higher. From the summit, you get amazing views. You can see northwards to the Forcan Ridge on The Saddle. The Kintail Forest Munros are visible to the northeast, and the wild area of Knoydart can be seen to the southwest.
