P.S. Sgurr Mhairi (Glamaig)

The OS list shows 52 trigs on Skye. We knew that the pillar on the 2,542 ft summit of Sgurr Mhairi (Glamaig) had disappeared some years ago, so it was not on our list of 51.

We climbed Glamaig today and found this lump of familiar looking concrete in the summit cairn. You'll be pleased to know that it was met with due respect...

Finished!

The list is complete. We have been to every one of Skye's 51 trig points.

From Ben Tianavaig on 27th October 2005 to Carnach on 17th June 2007 it has taken us 598 days, giving an average of one trig visited every 12 days.

The highest was Bruach na Frithe, at 3,143 ft. The lowest Sasunnaich, at 125 ft.

The total height amsl was 58,321 ft. ( more than twice the height of Everest). The average height 1,143.5 ft.

51. Carnach

Our 51st and final Skye trig point. Champagne spray to celebrate!

NG656196
Height: 830 ft
Net Climb: 272 ft
Route: A short, straight climb from the Heaste road at NG660196
Ease: Very easy in all respects - if you don't drink too much champagne....

50. Dhughaill

NG617090 (Dhughaill is the OS name for this one but the hill is Sgurr na h-Iolaire)
Height: 958 ft
Net Climb: 551 ft
Route: Across the sluice at the outlet from Loch Dughaill at NG610080, round the loch climbing through the crags to the summit plateau.
Ease: The only potential difficulty is finding a route back down through the line of crags. There are a few options, but they are easier to see from below, so mark the top of the one you come up - by GPS or otherwise.

49. Sgorach Breac

NG651132
Height: 981 ft
Net Climb: 656 ft
Route: From the Ord road at NG648119, heading northeast to pick up a deer fence, following it around to the northeast corner of the enclosure, and then north to the trig.
Ease: A pleasant walk of under 3 km return with a modest climb and easy navigation. Terrain is a mix of bog, small peat hags and rocky outcrops. It has been so dry recently that the boggy bits were crackling underfoot. It's not often going to be like that!

48. Meall an Fhuarain

NG456350
Height: 955 ft
Net Climb: 791 ft
Route: From the Portree - Sligachan road at NG476372, across the Varragill River (only safe to cross after a dry spell) and then straight over the moor.
Ease: Tough underfoot, and a wee bit up and down on the way. We did it in glorious warm sunshine, so it was pleasant enough - and the views south to the Cuillin make it all very worthwhile. Wouldn't fancy this one in bad weather though...

47. Capull

NG499354
Height: 856 ft
Net Climb: 594 ft
Route: We did it from the Portree - Sligachan road at NG476368. There is a shorter and easier route from Ollach, via the woodland path at NG515365.
Ease: The slopes on the west of the hill are long and gentle, but the ground is very difficult - tussocky, heathery and boggy all the way. It feels a much longer walk that it is.

46. Beinn na Creiche

NG201481
Height: 860 ft
Net Climb: 413 ft
Route: From the bealach on the Colbost - Glendale road at NG192494
Ease: Lots of peat hags on the route and a boggy summit - but an easy climb to very good views.

45. Caorach

NG587029
Height: 919 ft
Net Climb: 755 ft
Route: Due north from the parking place at the road end at NG588007.
Ease:Moderately boggy, and the route is a bit up and down and up again. Nothing too challenging though. Lovely views.

44. Skridan

NG343267
Height: 1460 ft
Net Climb: 935 ft
Route: There is a choice of several quite different routes to this fairly remote trig. The one we chose was about 5 km each way from the Talisker road, at NG348305. From there, following the fence-line south, it is a steep climb to close to the summit of Stockval, then a descent to the beautiful Loch Sleadale, a reclimb to Loch a' Bhac-ghlais and on to the summit plateau of Beinn Bhreac. The trig is not at the highest point of the hill, but it has the best views of any we have visited yet. The entire Outer Hebrides, the Small Isles, Coll and Tiree are visible, together with a stunning aspect of the Cuillin, all the Trotternish Ridge, MacLeod's Tables, and the Maidens. And then there's the Scottish mainland...
Ease: The gross climb is at least 1500 ft by this route. The initial ascent of Stockval is steep, but the terrain is good all the way.

43. Beinn na Seamraig

NG728177
Height: 1841 ft
Net Climb: 1303 ft
Route: From the Glen Arroch (Kylerhea) road at NG729217. Cross the bridge and follow a good track up to Bealach na Cruinn-leum. Leave the end of the track heading southwest up to the summit of Beinn Dubh a'Bhealaich and along the ridge to the trig.
Ease: Very simple, both navigation and effort.

42. Bruach na Frithe

NG460252
Height: 3143 ft
Net climb: 2973 ft
Route: From Sligachan NG479297, past Alltdearg House, along the Allt Dearg Mor to NG454277, and then up the Allt Fionn Choire to the Bealach nan Lice. Then traverse to the north of Sgurr a' Fionn Choire to reach the east ridge of Bruach na Frith and a straightforward climb to the trig.
Ease: We did it in fine weather and found it surprisingly easy. It would be very different in mist, rain and/or wind.

41. Beinn a' Sga

NG437562
Height: 1483 ft
Net climb: 1411 ft
Route: From the Romesdal River bridge on the A87 (NG410536) along a track, not marked on OS, to the ruins at Madragil (NG425543). From there, a steady climb up any of the burns will take you to the top. There are some excellent waterfalls on the way.
Ease: Much better than expected. The ground is good for most of the way. There are some bogs, some peat hags, some heather and some crags - all of them easy to negotiate.
Note that the trig is not on the summit of the hill. It is only a few feet lower, but is offset to the west for intervisibility with the trigs around Loch Snizort.

40. Bla Bheinn

NG529217
Height: 3045 ft
Net Climb: 3045 ft
Route: From the car park on Loch Slapin at NG561217, up a good path into Coire Uaigneich. Leaving the main path at NG53662126 heading steeply uphill to the base of a narrow gully at NG53612148. Ascending the gully and climbing north-west, close to the edge of the buttresses, to a cairn at NG53432167. From there, a gully can be seen rising towards the summit.
Ease: A big climb, with some very simple scrambling on the way. No exposure on this route, although there are plenty of places to fall off if you were to wander off the correct path. For that reason, I would not recommend it other than on a clear day. In any case, it would be a pity to miss out on what may be the best summit panorama in Britain.

39. Beinn a' Bhraghad

NG410255
Height: 1506 ft
Net Climb: 920 ft
Route: From the Glen Brittle road at NG415274 via the forest track to NG407271. From there, follow the firebreak up the Uillt na Teanga and climb almost due south to the trig. (The true summit is south of the trig point by a couple of hundred metres.)
Ease: Navigation is easy, but the ascent up the firebreak, and beyond, is testing. Very deep heather and rough ground. There is a bit of a deer track on the left (west) side, above the burn's gorge. Worth the slog for what must be the very best view of the north face of the Black Cuillin.

38. Ben Toirlean

NG321394
Height: 246 ft
Net Climb: 105 ft
Route: Short walk from the A863 through the gate at NG323398.
Ease: Soft going, but easy.

37. Ben Scudaig

NG357409
Height: 722 ft
Net Climb: 460 ft
Route: From the road at NG368397
Ease: Straightforward

36. Beinne Brice

NG438287
Height: 1214 ft
Net Climb: 885 ft
Route: From the car park at the top of Glen Brittle at NG423358, along the Bealach a' Mhaim path to the cairn at NG447268 and then via the summit of Am Mam
Ease:Generally very pleasant walking on good surfaces. Some care needed crossing the peat hags in the bealach between Am Mam and the trig.

35. Elgol

NG527134
Height: 387 ft
Net Climb: 30 ft
Route: Only a few hundred feet from the roadside.
Ease: Stroll.

34. Sgurr na Coinnich

NG762222
Height: 2425 ft
Net Climb: 1510 ft
Route: Direct ascent from the road at Bealach Udal - NG753207
Ease: Very, very heavy going in heather for the first 500 ft. Thereafter a lot easier, although frequently steep.

33. Ben Horneval

NG283495
Height: 866 ft
Net Climb: 646 ft
Route: We made it part of a longer walk from the sheepfolds at NG276480 via the summit of Ben Vic Askill. Boggy and heavy going in places. The easiest route is the way we returned, to the main road via the gate at NG275490
Ease: As above. Could be very easy on a direct ascent.

32. Storr

NG495540
Height: 2359 ft
Net Climb: 1772 ft
Route: From car park on road at NG508528, up the path to the Old Man of Storr, following the path around the rim of Coire Scamadal to NG494550 and doubling back south above the cliff-line to the summit.
Ease: Surprisingly easy climb. The tourist path to the Old Man is well maintained. There is a small section shortly after that at NG499454 that can be tricky in the wet - and treacherous with ice. Otherwise a pleasant walk to the top. A lot of big cliffs to fall off in cloud like today, so care needed.

31. Ben Aketil

NG327462
Height: 873 ft
Net Climb: 873 ft
Route: From Caroy NG305435 via the shielings at NG321453
Ease: A nasty, boggy and tough walk to a trig with mundane views (by Skye standards). Not recommended! Having said that, it may get easier - or harder - or impossible to reach, depending on the progress of the proposed wind farm on the hill.

30. Ben Geary

NG253614
Height: 932 ft
Net Climb: 495 ft
Route: From near Cnoc Bhreac school at NG262602. There is a bit of a track left from the building of a radio mast on the summit.
Ease: Just a stroll - albeit a boggy one.

29. Beinn nan Dubh-lochan

NG312323
Height: 830 ft
Net Climb: 470 ft
Route: We reached this one from a longer walk along the coast between Talisker and Fiskavaig. The best starting point for a direct ascent would be NG323330.
Ease: An easy and safe walk providing that care is taken to avoid the many crags - especially on the descent when they can be invisible until you are right on top of them.

28. Meall a' Mhaoil

NG553307
Height: 932 ft
Net Climb: 920 ft
Route: From road at NG560303, up the Coire Mor track for 500m and then straight up.
Ease: Very - and great views.

27. Creag Chragach

NG412612
Height: 1063 ft
Net Climb: 793 ft
Route: Most of the way on the track from NG390614. We returned via Loch Mor.
Ease: A pleasant walk with no real challenges. Great views!

26. Suidh' a' Mhinn

NG40326852
Height: 1148 ft
Net climb: 625 ft
Route: From cattle grid at NG408666 via track to top of Creag Stoirm. Then following the fence to the trig.
Ease: Just a stroll.

25. Ben Uigshader

NG368490
Height: 807 ft
Net Climb: 643 ft
Route: From road near Lyndale at NG368541 via track to NG368497. Then on rough ground to the trig. We returned over the moor to Upper Edinbane at NG350506 where we had left a second car.
Ease: Pleasant walk on a good track for the first part. Difficult walking on the moorland sections, especially where forestry work from many years past has created trenches and bogs.

24. Healaval Bheag

NG224422
Height: 1601 ft
Net Climb: 1470 ft
Route: From track end at NG256445 via Beinn Bhuidhe and An Cruachan.
Ease: Moderate. Three pathless miles each way between the road and the base of the hill. The last 700 ft or so is steep and crag strewn. Amazing views!

23. Roineval

NG418350
Height: 1440 ft
Net Climb: 1110 ft
Route: Up track from NG390349 to Bealach Mor, then follow the line of the old wall SE across the boggy floor of the valley. Route to the summit through the gap in the crags at NG415350.
Ease: An easy climb with a disproportionately fine view.

22. Beinn a' Ghlinne Bhig

NG396452
Height: 682 ft
Net Climb: 259 ft
Route: Via forestry track from NG415435
Ease: Easy in all respects

21. Ben Duagrich

NG398389
Height: 997 ft
Net Climb: 982 ft
Route: From road end at Amar NG370393 to Loch Duagrich and up by the burn to NG395384 to avoid the crags, then turning back north to the summit.
Ease: Pleasant walk to the loch. Extremely boggy crossing to the foot of the hill. Easy climb the way we went. Would be more challenging to take a direct ascent up the north slopes of the hill.

20. Dunvegan Head

NG158549
Height: 1027 ft
Net Climb: 880 ft
Route: From road end at Galtrigill up the left bank (right side) of the Galtrigill Burn, past the lazy beds and then veer right direct to the summit. Our return was a loop north via Dunvegan Head itself, some two miles north of the trig.
Ease: Straightforward in all respects in perfect weather like today. Would not recommend it in poor visibility. The 1027 ft cliff is right behind the trig - and there is no fence.

19. Beinn Bhreac

NG246544
Height: 1030 ft
Net Climb: 942 ft
Route: From Claigan car park at NG233537, via track to NG246527, then to Marilyn summit 1074 ft and along the ridge to trig. Return was straight down to car park.
Ease: Easy ascent. Very deep peat bogs in the bealach between the track end and the summit. Following the line of the old wall along the ridge misses most of the difficult ground. Our chosen descent route was steep and craggy.

18. Leoid

NG599159
Height: 640 ft
Net Climb: 640 ft
Route: From road end at Camus Malig NG582192 via the track that follows the coast to Suisnish. About five miles round trip.
Ease: Very easy walk to the foot of Carn Dearg. Tricky ascent today with some deep snowdrifts.

17. Heilla

NG349343
Height: 381 ft
Net Climb: 185 ft
Route: From Portnalong Cemetery car park at NG351343
Ease: No difficulty on a clear day, but there are places to fall off the hill if careless!

16. Speiraig

NG369313
Height: 640 ft
Net Climb: 280 ft
Route: From bend in road at NG373312
Ease: Very easy

15. Beinn na Caillich

NG601233
Height: 2402 ft
Net Climb: 2336 ft
Route: From the end of the Old Corry road at 619228 - straight up!
Ease: Our highest yet - and our toughest yet. A steep, convex and boulder strewn mountain.

Route details and more images are available here.

14. Waterstein Head

NG145470
Height: 971 ft
Net Climb: 280 ft
Route: From the Ramasaig road at NG161466 via Beinn na Coinnich
Ease: Vertigo is the only challenge.

13. Bealach

NG463492
Height: 1296 ft
Net Climb: 935 ft
Route: From Borve at NG453479 returning via Creagalain summit.
Ease: Mostly a very good walking surface. Navigation very easy.

12. Sasunnaich

NG7221725945
Height: 125 ft
Net Climb: 39 ft
Route: from the nearby A87
Ease: Yup!

11. Beinn na Boineide

NG294520
Height: 1043 ft
Net Climb: 550 ft
Route: from the A850 at NG288511
Ease: Navigation simple, little climb and less than two miles return. Walking heavy though in deep heather with very few sheep tracks.

10. Beinn Edra

NG455626
Height: 2006 ft
Net Climb: 1650 ft
Route:From the end of the Balnaknock road at NG419628 via Bealach a Mhoramhain.
Ease: In each direction we did not find the section of path marked on OS between the end of the track and the start of the straight climb to Bealach a Mhoramhain. Otherwise it was straightforward.

9. Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing

NG508466
Height: 1286 ft
Net Climb: 800 ft
Route: From track at NG492467 straight up heading east
Ease: Very straightforward - but care needed when the cloud comes down. It's a big drop on the far side!

8. Ardroag

NG266436
Height: 253 ft
Net Climb: 80 ft
Route: From Greep road junction
Ease: Very - but watch for tree planting holes. Lots of them, deep and wet.

7. Torr a Chruidh

NG366562
Height: 213 ft
Net Climb: 213 ft
Route: Climbed as part of a round trip walk of Lyndale Point
Ease: No problem

6. Culnacnoc

NG518627
Height: 354 ft
Net Climb: 60 ft
Route: From A855 a couple of hundred yards away
Ease: Your granny could do it

5. Ben Volovaig

NG435760
Height: 364 ft
Net Climb: 350 ft
Route: From shore at NG437751 heading NE to avoid crofts and then NW to summit
Ease: Boggy section below hill easily crossed with care

4. Meall na Suiramach

NG446695
Height: 1780 ft
Net Climb: 925 ft
Route: From car park at NG440679 along below the Quiraing and climbing through Fir Bhreugach at NG449704
Ease: Provided you don't fall over the cliff into the Quiraing - easy!

3. Beinn na Greine

NG459416
Height: 1367 ft
Net Climb: 650 ft
Route: From the Glenmore road NG434413 via the masts at NG451409
Ease: Boggy in the bealach but not too challenging