Beinn Alligin

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Beinn Alligin
Beinn Alligin seen from across Loch Torridon
Location:	Torridon, Scotland
Summits:	Sgurr Mhor	Tom na Gruagaich
Elevation:	986 m (3235 ft)	922 m (3025 ft)
Prominence:	c. 601 m	155 m
Topo map:	OS Landranger 19, 24	OS Landranger 19, 24
OS grid reference:	NG865613	NG859601
Listing:	Munro, Marilyn	Munro, Marilyn
Translation of name:	Big Peak (Gaelic)	Rounded Hill of the Maiden (Gaelic)
Pronunciation:	/sgɝɹ vɒɹ/	/tɒm næ gɹujæx/

Beinn Alligin is one of the classic mountains of the Torridon region of Scotland, lying to the north of Loch Torridon, in the Highlands. The name Beinn Alligin is from the Scottish Gaelic meaning Jewelled Hill, and is pronounced /bɛɪn æləgɪn/. The mountain has two peaks of Munro status: Tom na Gruagaich (922 m) to the south, and Sgurr Mhor (986 m) to the north.

The usual route of ascent starts from the minor road between Torridon village and Inveralligin, following the route of the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil (a river), before heading up into the corrie of Coir nan Laogh. Steep grassy slopes then lead to the summit of Tom na Gruagaich. The main ridge of Beinn Alligin is then followed round to the north, leading the hillwalker towards Sgurr Mhor. Below the summit of this peak is a deep gash in the hillside known as Eag Dubh, the black notch, one of Beinn Alligin's most recognisable features.

View east from Sgurr Mhor over the "Horns"

From the summit of Sgurr Mhor, it is possible to continue along the ridge, now heading in an easterly direction. The ridge at this point becomes much rockier, and a series of pinnacles known as the "Horns of Alligin" must be negotiated. The horns provide good summer scrambling for those with a head for heights, but in winter they are a much more serious proposition.

An alternative descent, avoiding the horns, can be made by leaving the Beinn Alligin ridge at the col between the two summits (in Gaelic such a feature is known as a "bealach"), where grassy slopes can be followed westwards down into a neighbouring glen. This route is not straightforward under winter conditions.