Sgùrr Mòr

Sgùrr Mòr
Cromartyshire
Sgurr Mòr
Range:	Fannichs
Summit:	3,642 feet NH203718 57°41’60"N, 5°1’2"W

Sgùrr Mòr (Gaelic for "Big Peak") is the highest mountain of Cromartyshire, and the highest of the nine Munros in the range known as the Fannichs, reaching at 3,641 feet at its summit, from which are some wondrous views over the mountains and beyond.

The Fannichs spread between Loch Fannich and the A835 Ullapool road, which is a remote area, barely inhabited. Notwithstanding their grand height, these nine Munroes, usually climbed in groups or occasionally in a single hike, are mostly gentle sloped and fairly accessible from either of the loch or the road. If approached from Loch Fannich, a bicycle or permission to drive on the private road would be helpful.

Sgùrr Mòr is perhaps the best of the Fannaichs but that is open to debate as this entire region is superb and attracts a lot of praise.

Ascent

The Fannichs are not the most popular range for climbers, on account of their remoteness, not for lack of beauty, for those who do climb amongst these hills have lavished praise upon them, and on Sgùrr Mòr in particular.

Most of the munros of the Fannichs can be reached by one of Sgùrr Mòr’s summit ridges:

• The northwest ridge leads to Carn na Criche (a munro top) and on to neighbouring munro, Meall a' Chrasgaidh. The other western munros can be summited from here also.
• The southern ridge leads round the rim of several eastern corries to Meall Gorm.
• The northeast ridge leads to Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich, requiring a craggy and impressive ridge walk.

The most popular starting point to climb Sgùrr Mòr is from the north, either the head of Loch Droma or from the lay-by that branches of to Loch a' Bhraoin, and this is the most advantageous starting point of the western munros of the range are also one target. From either northern starting pont, thr route leads up to the saddle between Carn na Criche and Meall a' Chrasgaidh (at 2,687 feet), which gives access to Sgùrr Mòr and several others of the munros.

The northern and eastern faces of Sgùrr Mòr are steep and craggy; the unforgiving crags can be well seen from the northeast. A climb of Sgùrr Mòr is usually followed by topping Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich also, as the two is are joined by the northeastern ridge of Sgùrr Mòr. From here, the westerly tops of the Fannichs are laid out invitingly, and may be tackled while energy and daylight last.