Sgurr an Airgid is a Corbett (over 2500 feet high) and has magnificent views; it offers a relatively straightforward and short hillwalk. A good introduction to the higher peaks.
Summary
Apart from last couple of hundred metres, this walk follows a path throughout. The most straightforward mountain summit to reach in Kintail.
Terrain
NG946212
Grid ref
9.5km/5.75 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
There is a reasonable bus service along the A87, served by Citilink buses from Glasgow
and Inverness. This passes the junction with the minor road, close to the cemetary car park.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Park at the cemetery car park. The ruined church of St Dubhthach is attractively sited, and the war memorial on the grassy mound is well worth the short ascent for its fine views. Head through the kissing gate on the other side of the road to begin the ascent on a newly built track.
2. The track gives fine views back over the loch. Higher up the original path from near Lienassie comes in from the right – this actually provides a pleasanter route to this point, but the start is very hard to locate (it can most easily be picked up heading diagonally uphill to the left from a large tree and stream at the foot of the slope at NG956218). From the indistinct junction continue on the path as it bends right and heads more directly up the slope. The path heads between the remains of old shielings.
3. At the top of this short section directly uphill, the path joins a new bulldozed track; turn right to continue uphill along this track. The track soon becomes a pleasant path once more, and goes through a gate in the deer fence. Above the fence, the path continues zigzagging uphill , coming close to the ravine carved out by the Allt na Ruaraich. When the slope eases once more, Sgurr an Airgid's upper slopes can be seen to the left; resist the temptation to leave the path and instead continue uphill until it reaches the broad, soggy ridge at a cairn.
4. From here head more directly towards Sgurr an Airgid; the path is a little fainter at first, and descends very slightly. There are two ill-defined ridges leading towards the summit, and the path, now clear once more, climbs up the depression between them before finally joining the right hand ridge. Continue past several false summits. The path eventually fades to nothing; at this point the true summit is just up the short, steeper slope to the left.
5. The summit of Sgurr an Airgid, 841 metres, is a Corbett - which is a Scottish mountain summit between 2500 and 3000 feet; it is marked by a cylindrical Ordnance survey trig point. There are great views over the end of Loch Duich and the Skye bridge with the Cuillin beyond. A better view of the head of the loch can be had by walking about a hundred metres south. To return to the start, it is best to retrace your route of ascent.
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Route profile
