Sgùrr na Lapaich

Sgurr na Lapaich
Sgurr na Lapaich seen from Càrn nan Gobhar, 2 km to the south-east.
Elevation	1,150 m (3,770 ft)[1]
Prominence	839 m (2,753 ft)Ranked 24th in British Isles
Parent peak	Càrn Eige
Listing	Munro, Marilyn
Translation	Peak of the Bog (Gaelic)
Pronunciation	Scottish Gaelic: [ˈs̪kuːrˠ nə ˈlˠ̪aʰpɪç] English approx: skure nuh LAP-ish
Location
Location	Glen Cannich, Scotland
Range	Northwest Highlands
OS grid	NH160351
Topo map	OS Landranger 25, OS Explorer 430

Looking south-east from the summit over Loch Tuill Bhearnach with Loch Mullardoch in the far valley.

Sgurr na Lapaich is a mountain in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, situated north of Loch Mullardoch in the high ground that separates Glen Cannich and Glen Strathfarrar. The mountain reaches a height of 1,150 metres (3,773 feet), and is the fourth highest mountain north of the Great Glen. There is no higher ground to the north of it in Great Britain.

With a topographic prominence of 839 metres, Sgurr na Lapaich is the highest point for some considerable distance and is a fine viewpoint. The mountain is particularly well seen from the east; it is a prominent landmark as far away as the Moray Firth, some thirty miles away, from where locals use it as a guide for the weather forecast.

It should not be confused with another Sgurr na Lapaich, an outlying "top" of Mam Sodhail.

Topography

The name Sgurr na Lapaich means "Peak of the Bog" in Gaelic. This could be somewhat misleading, as it is a fine mountain with long ridges, deep corries and lochans, culminating in a fine rocky peak. The mountain is linked by ridges to the adjoining Munros of An Riabhachan to the west and to Càrn nan Gobhar to the east.

To the south of the main summit Sgurr na Lapaich has a subsidiary summit, Sgurr nan Clachan Geala (1,093 metres), listed as a "top" in Munro's Tables. Another minor summit, Rudha na Spreidhe, lies at the end of the mountain's northern spur and gives good views of Loch Monar; this was also formerly classed as a top, but has now been deleted from Munro's Tables.

Deep, glacial corries surround the mountain on several sides. To the south-east of the summit the slopes fall steeply into a large corrie containing Loch Tuill Bhearnach, the largest of Sgurr na Lapaich's lochans at around 500 metres wide; further south is a smaller corrie surrounding Loch a' Choire Bhig. Both of these lochans drain into Loch Mullardoch. To the east of the summit is the steep, rocky head-wall of Coire nan Each, which is snow-filled until the late spring.

Ascent routes

Sgurr na Lapaich can be climbed either from Glen Strathfarrar or Glen Cannich. The usual approach from Glen Cannich starts at the parking spot at the Loch Mullardoch dam (grid reference NH219315) and begins by ascending the Munro of Càrn nan Gobhar by its south ridge. The route then goes north-west to a col at 796 metres before ascending the broad, grassy east ridge of Sgurr na Lapaich. This becomes rocky higher up, requiring some easy scrambling to reach the summit.

The approach from Glen Strathfarrar begins from the hydroelectric power station in Gleann Innis (grid reference NH182381), reached by a 17-mile drive from Struy along a private road; the locked gate at the entrance to this road is opened at specified times to give access to walkers. From the power station a stalkers' path leads to the col between An Riabhachan and Sgurr na Lapaich, from where there is a further climb of over 300 metres to reach the summit.

The top of the mountain is marked by an Ordnance Survey trig point.

References

• The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 978-0-906371-30-5
• The Munros (SMC Guide), Donald Bennett et al., ISBN 978-0-907521-13-6
• 100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains, Ralph Storer, ISBN 978-0-7515-0300-5
• Hamish’s Mountain Walk, Hamish Brown, ISBN 978-1-898573-08-1

Footnotes

Munros of Scotland: Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness An Riabhachan An Socach Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich Càrn nan Gobhar (Mullardoch) Càrn nan Gobhar (Strathfarrar) Lurg Mhòr Maoile Lunndaidh Mòruisg Sgùrr a' Chaorachain Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais Sgùrr Choinnich Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill Sgùrr na Lapaich Sgùrr na Ruaidhe List of Munros

Most prominent hills of Britain Northern Highlands Foinaven Ben Hee Ben Hope Ben Loyal Ben Klibreck Ben More Assynt Canisp Cùl Mòr Ben More Coigach Beinn Dearg Ben Wyvis An Teallach Slioch Sgùrr Mòr (Fannichs) Fionn Bheinn Beinn Alligin Beinn Eighe Liathach Beinn Bhàn Sgorr Ruadh Western Highlands Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais Sgùrr na Lapaich Càrn Eige Beinn Fhada Sgùrr Fhuaran A' Chràlaig Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich Gleouraich Sgùrr nan Eugallt Ladhar Bheinn Sgùrr na Cìche Càrn Mòr Sròn a' Choire Ghairbh Sgùrr Thuilm Gaor Bheinn Rois-bheinn Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain Sgùrr Dhòmhnuill Garbh Bheinn Creach Bheinn Central and Eastern Highlands Creag Meagaidh Ben Nevis Stob Coire Easain Binnein Mòr Chno Dearg Ben Alder Sgor nam Fiannaidh Beinn a' Bheithir Beinn Sgulaird Bidean nam Bian Ben Macdui Beinn a' Ghlò Lochnagar Southern Highlands Meall a' Bhuiridh Ben Cruachan Schiehallion Beinn a' Chreachain Ben Lawers Ben Lui Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) Beinn Ìme Beinn an Lochain Beinn Mhòr (Cowal) Doune Hill Ben More (Crianlarich) Ben Lomond Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) Ben Chonzie Islands An Cliseam Beinn Mhòr (South Uist) The Storr Sgùrr Alasdair Blà Bheinn Beinn na Caillich Sgùrr na Coinnich Askival Ben More (Mull) Dùn da Ghaoithe Beinn an Òir Goat Fell Snaefell Scottish Lowlands, England and Wales Merrick Broad Law Scafell Pike Helvellyn Skiddaw Cross Fell Snowdon Glyder Fawr Carnedd Llewelyn Aran Fawddwy Cadair Idris Pen y Fan Waun Fach

Coordinates: 57°22′08″N 5°03′38″W / 57.3688°N 5.0606°W / 57.3688; -5.0606