Last munro in the Glen Shiel group...
Introduction - Glen Shiel
Glen Shiel is a glen located in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It is approximately 9 miles long and is where the Battle of Glen Shiel took place in 1719. It stretches all the way from Loch Cluanie in the east to Loch Duich further west. The northern side is in the Kintail and Morvich estate owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and the southern part is within the Kintail National Scenic Area.
Glen Shiel is one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland. There are no less than 23 munros accessible from the A87, the "Road to the Isles", where it runs through Glen Shiel from Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh. The glen is also hugely important historically as it is the site of the last close engagement of British and foreign troops on mainland British soil.
The Battle of Glen Shiel took place on 10th June 1719 midway up the glen. It was fought between British government forces and an alliance of Jacobites and Spaniards, and resulted in a victory for the British forces. It is Scotland's only battle site with contemporary remains still visible – including the stone dyke enclosure where the Jacobite munitions were stored.
One of the peaks on the northern side of the glen and part of the Five Sisters Ridge is called Sgùrr nan Spainteach (Peak of the Spaniards) and it derives its name from the 200 Spanish troops who fought a rear-guard action on the side of the defeated Jacobite rebels. The battle lasted until 9:00 pm and several accounts claim the heather caught fire and smoke combined with failing light enabled the bulk of the Scots to disappear into the night, wounded but determined to fight again.
Onto the main event then, below you'll find my stats, the route, and information you will hopefully enjoy and find useful.
Stats and stuff - munros; maps & timings
Munro number: 40
Munro name(s): Sgurr na Sgine 945m (3100ft)
Area: Knoydart & Glen Shiel
Maps: Knoydart, Kintail & Glen Affric Map; OS Map of Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn | Landranger 33 Map | Ordnance Survey Shop
Distance: 8 miles (12.8km)
Ascent: 1044m (3427ft)
Moving time: 4 hours 30 mins
Total time: 7 hours 20 mins
Ratings
Bogginess ☹️
Effort 😅😅😅
Navigation 🤔🤔🤔
Enjoyment 😍😍
Local information
Eating: The Cluanie Inn - A Hotel Near Isle of Skye; Speciality Chocolates | Chocolates of Glenshiel | Scotland; Kintail Lodge, Glenshiel Bridge, Kyle of Lochalsh Hotel
Accommodation: The Cluanie Inn - A Hotel Near Isle of Skye; Kintail Lodge, Glenshiel Bridge, Kyle of Lochalsh Hotel
Facilities: Inverinate Service Station - petrol and shop
The Cluanie Inn is run by the Black Sheep Hotels chain and has two sister hotels; "Whispering Pines" in Letterfinlay on Loch Lochy, and "Rokeby Manor" in Invergarry. The food is excellent.
Don't miss: Battle of Glen Shiel Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
The route
Sgurr na Sgine is often combined with The Saddle and Forcan Ridge providing a tough but magical day in the mountains. I climbed the Forcan Ridge and The Saddle many years ago and chose not to extend the day to include Sgurr na Sgine. As such, every time I drove through Glen Shiel it was there, taunting me! A jaggy pointy wee beastie of a climb.
The summit of Sgurr na Sgine is mostly hidden from the A87 by it's steep defender Faochag. This would be my route of descent and a total knee breaker.
The route begins as per the route up to The Saddle and Forcan Ridge. An easy well maintained stalkers path leading up to a col between Biod an Fhithich and Meallan Odhar and then continues south west to the start of the ascent of the Forcan Ridge.
As the path turns right to begin the ascent of the Forcan Ridge turn left to follow a level path that continues rising gently to the col between The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine.
From the col the path now becomes less defined and a steep ascent through boulders allows you to reach the summit ridge.
The forecast had been good but it very quickly changed with low cloud moving in to just below 3,000 feet. There was still quite a lot of snow for the end of March. Navigation wasn't particularly difficult of this mountain but I was more than happy to retrieve the map and constantly take new bearings.
The descent was more straightforward given the narrowness of the ridge and the lack of choice. The only was was down, and steeply!
No messing about getting off this hill and at least it won't taunt me every time I drive past now. It was a relief to drop out of the rolling clouds and to see the stunning views both up and down Glen Shiel. The north Glen Shiel ridge was still shrouded in cloud, I guess people weren't getting much of a view from up there either today.
I can't say I really enjoyed this hike. I was very tired after a winters break and had underestimated the effort required. It may not look like much of a hill, but it is a serious undertaking and took me longer than I had anticipated. The weather changing also had an affect on me and my mood. I will still smile when I drive past Sgurr na Sgine, but I'm relieved I don't have to climb it again!
Claire's top tip....
Don't underestimate a winters break....or changing weather!
I was really surprised how tired I was doing this walk. I hadn't been in the hills for nearly 5 months and I felt it. I'd climbed a local wee hill a few times and was still running and doing a bit of cycling, but no proper mountain training. It really highlighted to me the importance of "hill" fitness. As I get older, I lose it a lot quicker, but the good news is, it does come back. I would normally do a few climbs in the winter but illnesses and weather had denied me this opportunity. It was a timely reminder not to underestimate my fitness and plan climbs that are beyond my ability after a few months off.
The other thing that surprised me was the effect of the weather on me. I had been buoyed by the forecast of clear skies and crisp conditions underfoot. The forecast wasn't entirely wrong, just the cloud base dropped below the summits which wasn't expected, and it began to snow. I always pack for every eventuality so I wasn't worried about the change, more disappointed, and to be fair, I should know better. Scotland's weather is not predictable and especially the mountain weather. It is affected by many things and especially fluid around the coasts with mountain ranges.
I've always been an optimist even in the worst of conditions. Always glimpsing blue skies where there are none, or the sun breaking through when covered by heavy grey clouds.
I need to remember to enjoy the experience of all weathers.
Coming next......
Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgurr Ruadh - Glen Carron
Thank you for reading ❤️ xx
