Sgùrr Fhuaran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sgùrr Fhuaran |
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Sgùrr Fhuaran seen from Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe across Coire Domhain.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,067 m (3,501 ft) |
| Prominence | 663 m (2,175 ft) |
| Parent peak | A' Chralaig |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Obscure; peak of wells/fountains, Odhran's peak or wolf's peak |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kintail, Scotland |
| Parent range | Northwest Highlands |
| OS grid | NG978166 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 33, OS Explorers 414 |
Sgùrr Fhuaran is a tall mountain in Scotland. It stands on the northern side of Glen Shiel, about 23 kilometers (14 miles) east-southeast of Kyle of Lochalsh. This mountain is known for its amazing views and interesting history.
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Discover Sgùrr Fhuaran
Sgùrr Fhuaran reaches a height of 1,067 meters (3,501 feet). This makes it a Munro, which is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) high. It is also a Marilyn, meaning it has a significant drop on all sides. From its top, you can see far across the Scottish Highlands.
What's in a Name?
The name Sgùrr Fhuaran has a bit of a mystery! It might mean "Peak of wells or springs" because many streams flow from its sides. Another idea is that it comes from "Sgùrr Urain," meaning "Peak of Odhran." Odhran was a follower of Columba, a famous Irish saint. Some even think the name relates to "wolf." The mountain's name is also part of the "Sgùrr Uaran" saying used by Clan Macrae, a family that lived in the Kintail area.
The Five Sisters of Kintail
Sgùrr Fhuaran is one of the famous Five Sisters of Kintail. The other two main peaks in this group are Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe and Sgùrr na Càrnach. When you see them from Màm Ratagan above Loch Duich, the Five Sisters create one of Scotland's most beautiful mountain scenes.
The Legend of the Sisters
A local legend tells a magical story about the Five Sisters. It says there were once seven daughters of a farmer. Two of them married brothers who visited the area. These brothers promised to send their five other brothers to marry the remaining five sisters. But no one ever returned. To keep their beauty while they waited, the five sisters asked a local wizard to turn them into mountains.
Exploring the Mountain's Shape
Sgùrr Fhuaran has a very distinct shape with steep sides. Its western side drops sharply towards Glen Shiel, making the mountain look incredibly tall. It has four main ridges, which are like long arms extending from the summit.
The best-known ridge is the WNW (west-northwest) ridge. It drops over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in just over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the River Shiel below. The southern ridge connects Sgùrr Fhuaran to another Munro called Sgùrr na Càrnach, which is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The eastern ridge is very narrow in places, like a knife edge. This makes for an exciting way to climb the mountain from Glenlicht House. Between the southern and eastern ridges is a huge hollow called Coire Domhain, where the mountain drops almost straight down. The northern ridge leads to a smaller peak, or "top," called Sgùrr na Saighead (Peak of the Arrows). This peak is 929 meters (3,047 feet) high and is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the main summit. Many people think Sgùrr na Saighead is the most impressive of the Five Sisters because it's narrow and exposed. This northern ridge continues for another 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) until it reaches the sea at Loch Duich.
How to Climb Sgùrr Fhuaran
One way to climb Sgùrr Fhuaran is to start near the village of Shiel Bridge. You begin on the north side of the A87 road, before it crosses the river. There's a grassy path that leads towards where an old footbridge used to be. From there, it's a steady, steep climb up the WNW ridge.
For a more exciting adventure, you can include Sgùrr na Saighead in your climb. You follow the north ridge to the main summit after visiting Sgùrr na Saighead. Many mountain climbers say that walking along the entire ridge of the Five Sisters is one of the best hikes in Scotland. The only tricky part is getting back to your starting point, as the beginning and end of the walk are about 8 kilometers (5 miles) apart. A good plan is to start at Morvich in Strath Croe and walk up Gleann Lichd. From there, you can climb to the ridge and walk it from south to north, finishing near your starting point by Loch Duich.
