Sgurr nan Ceannaichean
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| Sgurr nan Ceannaichean | |
|---|---|
 Sgurr nan Ceannaichean seen from Sgurr Choinnich, 3.5 km to the south. |
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| Elevation | 915 m (3002 ft) |
| Location | Wester Ross,  Scotland |
| Range | Northwest Highlands |
| Prominence | c. 183 m |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 25, OS Explorer 429 |
| OS grid reference | NH087480 |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Translation | Peak of the Merchants or Pedlars (Gaelic) |
| Pronunciation | [Skoor nan Kyaneechan[1]] |
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean is a Scottish mountain situated 13 kilometres south west of Achnasheen on the southern side of Glen Carron within the Glencarron and Glenuig Forest in the Ross and Cromarty district of the Highland council area.
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[edit] Overview
With a height of 915 metres (3002 feet) Sgurr nan Ceannaichean just scrapes into the Munro category and is commonly cited as the smallest of all the 284 hills in that classification, even though there are two other Munros measured by the Ordnance Survey at 915 metres[2]. The mountains name translates from the Gaelic as Peak of the Merchants or Pedlars. The reason for this name may be that in the past the main route between east and west Scotland went by the valley of Strathconan just to the north and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean may have been seen as a significant landmark by traders and travellers[3].
For many years Sgurr nan Ceannaichean was classed as a Corbett, failing to reach the esteemed 3000 foot mark and Munro status by just a few metres. However in the late 1970s, the Ordnance Survey resurveyed much of the Scottish highlands and the mountain was given the new height of 915 metres and entered the Munros list when it was revised in 1981. Promotion to Munro status made Sgurr nan Ceannaichean a much busier place, as Munro baggers climbed the mountain to complete the revised list, previously it had been mainly ignored by baggers as they climbed the neighbouring Munro of Moruisg, just 2.5 kilometres to the north east.[4]
[edit] Geography
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean is a much more interesting hill than the adjoining Moruisg, its western flank is very steep and craggy as it falls to the valley of the Allt a’ Chonais and contains two deep and impressive gullies. The fine corrie of Coire Toll nam Bian stands on the north eastern side of the mountain while another lesser corrie, Coire an Tuill Bhan, lies just east of the summit and descends south east to the valley near Glenuig Lodge. The highest point of the mountain lies on a plateau with a number of cairns with the most southerly one being the highest point. The mountain stands on the main Scottish east-west watershed with most of the drainage going to Glen Carron and the sea at the west coast. However the eastern slopes form the head waters of the River Meig which takes water to the Cromarty Firth on the east coast of Scotland.
[edit] Ascents
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean is usually ascended in conjunction with the neighbouring Munro of Moruisg from a point just west of Loch Sgamhain on the A890 at grid reference NH079520, it is possible to climb either of the hills first[5]. An alternative route which gives a direct ascent of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean starts at the small hamlet of Craig (at grid reference NH040493) and follows the valley of the Allt a’ Chonais for five kilometres until a stalkers path leaves the valley and climbs steeply up the mountains southern slopes to reach the summit. The continuation to Moruisg goes north east and then north along the rim of the Coire Toll nam Bian.[6]
[edit] References
- The Munros, Donald Bennett et al: Scottish Mountaineering Trust: ISBN 0 907521 13 4
- The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0 906371 30 9
- Hamish’s Mountain Walk, Hamish Brown, ISBN 1 898573 08 5
- The Magic of the Munros, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0 7153 2168 4
- The Munros, Scotland's Highest Mountains, Cameron McNeish, ISBN 1 84204 082 0
Footnotes
- ^ "The Munros, Scotland's Highest Mountains" Page 176 Gives pronunciation.
- ^ www.scottishsport.co.uk. Gives a list of Munros in height order.
- ^ "The Magic of the Munros" Page 152 Gives translation and possible meaning.
- ^ Database of British Hills. Confirms promotion from Corbett to Munro in 1981.
- ^ "The Munros" Page 188 Gives route of ascent from Loch Sgamhain.
- ^ "The Munros, Scotland's Highest Mountains" Page 176 Gives direct route from Craig.
