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Sgurr nan Gillean

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
964 m (3162 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.
NG47162531
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
191 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
Rocky peak of the young men
 

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
  32   South Skye & Cuillin Hills
 

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

  Description
Sgurr nan Gillean is one of the most northerly peaks on the Black Cuillin Ridge, and one of the finest with its sharply pointed summit.

The Cuillin are composed of gabbro rock which gives wonderful grip even when wet, but these mountains have narrow ridges and pointed summits which require scrambling or even rock-climbing to reach the summit.

The ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean commences in Coire Riabach NNE of the summit and continues on rock and scree on the E face of the mountain to reach the SE ridge. From here the ascent is a scramble and the summit is very very small with lots of exposure!

Hazards you may encounter on Sgurr nan Gillean include
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (major), greater exposure and steeper rock.
 Magnetic rock, compass bearings inacurate.
 
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 nan Gillean

Sgurr nan Gillean on a perfect day for climbing.

© Iain Lees
Image by Iain Lees

Sgurr nan Gillean seen from the summit of Marsco

© Peter Burgess
Image by Peter Burgess

Start of the ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean: arrival at the lip of Coire Riabach. The route enters and crosses the upper part of the Coire to gain the east face below the pinnacle ridge, which is directly in line with the summit in this view.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Sgurr nan Gillean from Marsco; 27 May 2014.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen
View All 35 Images for Sgurr nan Gillean

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 		Sgurr na Banachdich
by Metcheck
Sgurr nan Gillean 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 nan Gillean.

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

  Routes that include Sgurr nan Gillean
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 955 m 11.71 km 4 hrs Sgurr nan Gillean  A route for scramblers only with considerable exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean

  Baggers Gallery for Sgurr nan Gillean

On top Sgurr nan Gillean 13th May 2017

© Oliver Bartrum
Image by Oliver Bartrum

All done! The full traverse in 19hrs 20mins from boat to pint less bivvy time. Yeehaa!

© Colin Fridge
Image by Colin Fridge

Myself on the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean.

© Brian Mcwilliam
Image by Brian Mcwilliam

Me and Andy on top after completing Pinnacle Ridge, Great fun!

© Mark Thomson
Image by Mark Thomson
View All 16 Baggers Images for Sgurr nan Gillean
The logging section stores any entries for Sgurr nan Gillean 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
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Graeme Mcphee on 13 Sep 2023
WILLIAM BISHOP on 06 Aug 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
 
Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean
by Alan Parker
Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir
by Kenny Mcneill

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

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 10 comments. Would you like to view all 10?
Russell Mullen
wrote on
June 10, 2013
Excellent day via the South East Ridge with Jim Sutherland and his team on Duncan and Nathan from Nine One Six Guiding. Highly recommend this very professional group, who got this nervous scrambler up to the summit!
Aidan Harris
wrote on
August 26, 2010
Climbed the tourist route in good weather. A good path rises from the hotel, crossing two bridges before entering the corrie. The path remains fairly obvious, punctuated by some small cairns, up the corrie wall of scree and boulder. Once on the shoulder continue NW upwards via scrambling. The last ten meters to the summit is extremely challenging for anyone without ropes (me!). I approached from the south side, with some terrifying handholds and crawling over large boulders to the top. Be prepared to turn back within sight of the summit if you are not up for some rock climbing!
Roger Green
wrote on
April 26, 2007
Climbed via the West ridge in poor weather. I have to say the exposure was terrifying - in some ways worse than the In Pinn itself. Many scrambling moves that felt decidely dodgy, over hideous exposure. A good head for heights and climbing expereince are very much required for this route.
David S Brown
wrote on
May 23, 2006
Sometime in recent years the once notoriously boggy beginning of 'The Tourist Route' (as mentioned in my Route Review) has been greatly improved. On my recent ascent of Am Basteir (via the tourist route as far as the lip of Coire Riabach, then branched right) it was bone dry and a really good track! (Incidentally: the comment below on this page by David Brown is from another member: he's bagged far more than me, and I'm the photographer, hope that's not confusing!)
Craig Johnstone
wrote on
July 10, 2005
Having never climbed a hill before, let alone a munro, I found this somewhat challenging and am rather surprised to still be alive at the end of it all, still, nice view fom the top though!!
 
 

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

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 08 Aug 2021 3 down 6 left Kevin Mckeown Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe Not Yet Rated
 
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