Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean
| Sgurr nan Ceannaichean | |
| Ross-shire | |
|---|---|
 Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean from Sgùrr Choinnich | |
| Summit: | 2,997 feet NH087480 57°28’54"N, 5°11’34"W |
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean is a mountain in Ross-shire, which reaches a height of 2,997 feet at its summit. It was formerly listed as a Munro, but demoted when its height was measured more accurately, to fall three feet beneath the required limit. Nevertheless, it remains an impressive mountain and is to be found nine miles south-west of Achnasheen, on the southern side of Glen Carron within the Glencarron and Glenuig Forest.
Overview
The mountain's name translates from the Gaelic as "Peak of the Merchants" (or "Pedlars"), and this may be because in the past the main route between the east and west of the Highlands went by the valley of Strathconan just to the north, and Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean may have served as a significant landmark for travellers,[1] albeit that this must remain mere speculation.
Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean was only classified as a Munro in 1981 after an air height of 3,002 ft, obtained by photogrammetry from the metric survey, appeared on the Ordnance Survey map.[2] In 2009, a survey by The Munro Society obtained an accurate height of 2,996 feet 10 inches, reverting the mountain's status to the lesser grade of a "Corbett".[3]
Geography
Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean is a much more interesting hill than the adjoining Munro of Mòruisg, its western flank is very steep and craggy as it falls to the valley of the Allt a' Chonais and contains two deep and impressive gullies. The fine corrie named Coire Toll nam Bian stands on the north-eastern side of the mountain while another lesser corrie, Coire an Tuill Bhàn, lies just east of the summit and descends south east to the valley near Glenuig Lodge. The highest point of the mountain lies on a plateau with a number of cairns with the most southerly one being the highest point.
The mountain stands on the main east-west watershed. Most of the drainage goes to Glen Carron and the sea at the west coast. However the eastern slopes form the head waters of the River Meig which takes water to the Cromarty Firth on the east coast.
Ascents
Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean is usually climbed in conjunction with the neighbouring mountain, Mòruisg, a Munro, from a point just west of Loch Sgamhain on the A890 at NH079520, and it is possible to climb either of the hills first.[4]
An alternative route which gives a direct ascent of Sgùrr nan Ceannaichean starts at the small hamlet of Craig and follows the valley of the Allt a' Chonais for 3 miles until a stalker's path leaves the valley and climbs steeply up the mountains southern slopes to reach the summit. The continuation to Mòruisg goes northeast and then north along the rim of the Coire Toll nam Bian.[5]
References
- The Munros, Scottish Mountaineering Trust, 1986, Donald Bennett (Editor) ISBN 0-907521-13-4
- In the Hills of Breadalbane, V.A. Firsoff, no ISBN
- The Munros, Scotland's Highest Mountains, Cameron McNeish, ISBN 1-84204-082-0
- The Magic Of The Munros, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0-7153-2168-4
- Hamish's Mountain Walk, Hamish Brown, ISBN 1-898573-08-5
- ↑ "The Magic of the Munros" Page 152 Gives translation and possible meaning
- ↑ The Munros and Tops 1891-1997. Confirms promotion from Corbett to Munro in 1981.
- ↑ The Munro Society - Height Changes
- ↑ "The Munros" Page 188 Gives route of ascent from Loch Sgamhain.
- ↑ "The Munros, Scotland's Highest Mountains" Page 176 Gives direct route from Craig.