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Sgurr Mhor (Beinn Alligin)

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
986 m (3234 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NG86576125
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
162 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Big peak (Jewel hill)
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  24   Raasay & Applecross, Loch Torridon & Plockton
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Sgurr Mor is the highest peak on Beinn Alligin and is a very distinctive mountain with its great cleft, the Eag Dubh, on its S face.

From the summit a ridge runs SW, curving S to a col below the rocky slopes of Tom na Gruach. The col is the normal ascent route, either from Tom na Gruach or from Coire Toll a Mhadaidh Mor to the E.

To the E of the summit a craggy ridge leads to Na Rathan with its rocky crest. This ridge is known as the Horns of Alligin. A traverse of the Horns, which requires scrambling, leads to a descent into Bealach a' Chomla.

Beinn Alligin is a relatively steep sided mountain with much of its slopes formed of terraced layers of red sandstone which erode to a rounded profile making hand and footholds difficult.

Hazards you may encounter on Sgurr Mhor include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Sgurr Mhor

Beinn Alligin seen across Upper Loch Torridon on a perfect walking day.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Beinn Alligin from Loch Kishorn; 20 May 2011.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen

Sgorr Ruadh(R) and Beinn Liath Mhor, taken through the Eag Dubh gully of Sgurr Mhor of Beinn Alligin.

© Ian Munro
Image by Ian Munro

Our first view of the Horns of Alligan as we near the end of our walk.

© Steve Marlow
Image by Steve Marlow
View All 23 Images for Sgurr Mhor

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Liathach
by Metcheck
Sgurr Mhor Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Sgurr Mhor.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Sgurr Mhor
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1396 m 10 km 4.5 hrs Sgurr Mhor and Tom na Gruagaich  Moderate route with some scrambling.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Sgurr Mhor

  Baggers Gallery for Sgurr Mhor

Calum H and me at the summit.

© Derrick Reid
Image by Derrick Reid

Me on the Horns of Alligin

© Paul Selfridge
Image by Paul Selfridge

Sgurr Mhor from Baosbheinn (Flowerdale Forest) 2nd October 2010

© Oliver Bartrum
Image by Oliver Bartrum

Karl and me on top after the traverse of the Horns first, (7,8,10).

© Mark Thomson
Image by Mark Thomson
View All 11 Baggers Images for Sgurr Mhor
The logging section stores any entries for Sgurr Mhor in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
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  Logging
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Recently Climbed By
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Alan Puckrin on 30 Apr 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by Neil Cuthbert
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by David McSporran
Sgurr Mhor and Tom na Gruagaich
by Alan Parker
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by Alasdair Cairns
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by Douglas Mason
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by Brendan Waters
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by Kenny Mcneill
Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
by Mike Yates

Post a few words about Sgurr Mhor or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Rodger Moffet
wrote on
April 18, 2009
A great mountain with some stunning views. The Eag Dubh gully is jaw dropping as you round the ridge. The horns were good fun but getting off them was tricky if you try to come off in a straight line from where the path fades over the rock slab area. I would recommend doing this route in reverse.
john dickson
wrote on
September 30, 2008
Did this walk early Sept 2008. Set off from car park at 9am on a sunny Tuesday morning with Gill and a sack of chocolate, bananas and factor 15 sun cream. Weather was a s good as I've ever had on Scotland's mountains as we did clockwise traverse. Have to say it's a great ridge walk when weather is clear, you can see every step of the ridge from either summit and the views are fantastic. The drop of Tom na Gruach summit was a wee bit tricky with steep cliffs to the south but well worth the effort once on the ridge. Back to the Old Inn at Gairloch for well deserved beer afterwards, a great walk.
David Roy
wrote on
August 11, 2001
could not find first bridge at 800m so did walk anti clockwise from second bridge.met others who missed bridge also{is it there?} Nice scrambling on the horns.put midge repellent on BEFORE opening car door in the car-park.Hardly any midges once i left the car-park. july 2001
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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  Route Write-Ups
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