the glen, the whole range can be easily negotiated in a moderate day, especially with a little artificial aid. The best plan is to drive to the site of the battle of 1719 in Glen Shiel, 5 miles from Clunie, at the point 399 feet above sea level, where the road crosses from the north to the south side of the river. From here strike up through grassy knolls for Creag nan Damh (3,012 feet). The ascent should not take more than an hour and a half. About five hours, exclusive of halts, will be required for the walk from here along the summit ridge to Creag a' Mhàim, involving as it does some 3,400 feet of ascent, and it should be remembered that no water will be met with. The whole range has generally a gentle slope to the south, but to the north are many fine cliffs and corries which would no doubt furnish any amount of rock and snow climbing. Probably the best will be got on the fine rocks of the northern corrie between Maol Cheann-dearg and Aonàch air Chrith. As far as is known none has yet been attempted. Creag nan Damh is a well-isolated peak; the Bealach Duibh Leac (2,400 feet) to the west is a used pass from Glen Shiel to Glen Quoich, while the col to the east is only 2,250 feet (about). Sgùrr Beag (2,925 feet) is the next summit. Col, 2,650 feet (about). Then Sgùrr an Lochain (3,282 feet). This is from all points of view a beautiful cone-shaped hill, one of the finest hills of the range, the north-east corrie enclosing the little lochan from which the mountain is named being very grand. The next col is about 2,900 feet. The summit of Sgùrr an Doire Leathain (3,272 feet), which is flat, lies somewhat north of the main ridge. The col beyond is about 2,720 feet. On the next top, Sgùrr Coire na Feinne (2,938 feet), the sheep fence which runs along the summit ridge all the way from Creag nan Damh, and would be useful in misty weather, comes to an end. From here there is only a drop of some 80 feet, and then a steady rise to Maol Cheann-dearg (3,214 feet). The next portion of the ridge between this and Aonach air Chrith is the narrowest of the whole range, but it nowhere presents the least difficulty, though, as previously stated, it has some very fine cliffs to the north of it. After a little intermediate top of about 3,000 feet it drops at the col to 2,775 feet (about). Aonàch air Chrith (3,342 feet) is the highest of the range. From it there is a fine ridge extending northnorth-east, which rises to a pretty little top. This might afford some scrambling, but probably of no great difficulty. The next col is about 2,900 feet, then a small nameless top of about 3,060 feet, another drop of 120 feet, and a rise to Drum Sionnach (3,222 feet), a flat round-topped hill. There is not much dip between this and Creag a' Mhàim (3,102 feet), the last and easternmost of the range, which, however, is a full mile away. From here Clunie will easily be reached in one and a half hours via the Tomdown road. The most striking feature of the view is the magnificent appearance of the Saddle immediately to the west, without doubt one of the finest mountains on the mainland of Scotland. The range is composed of schists, and fine specimens of black mica (Hangtonite) are to be found in its central portions. H. T. M. SGURR FHUARAN. (SGURR OURAN.) (DIVISION III. GROUP XIII.). Lat. 57° 10 to 57° 13'; W. Lon. 5° 19' to 5° 24'. Ordnance Survey Map, one-inch scale, Sheet 72. Bartholomew's Reduced Ordnance Map, Sheet 20. 1. Sgurr an t-Scarraich (Scoor an t-yerrich)=foals' peak (1,887 feet), a rugged little peak at the entrance of Glen Shiel. 2. Sgurr na Moraich (Scoor na Morrach) = peak of the saltings (2,870 feet), a bold conical peak at head of Loch Duich connected with next peak by col (2,428 feet). 3. Sgurr nan Saighead (Scoor na Sa'it) = peak of arrows (2,987 feet), a triple-headed and rather narrow ridge with deep precipitous corries on the north-east. Col, 2,713 feet. 4. Sgurr Fhuaran (Scoor Ooran) = peak of springs (3,505 feet), culminating peak of the group, with a steep cliff on the north-east and a rather sharp arete on the west, well seen from Shielhouse Inn. Col, 2,856 feet. |