Sgorr Ruadh
Encyclopedia
Sgorr Ruadh is a mountain situated in the mountainous area between Strath Carron and Glen Torridon
in Wester Ross
in the Highland Region
of Scotland
. It is located in Coire Lair near Achnashellach
along with two other fine mountains, Beinn Liath Mhòr
and Fuar Tholl
, and is often climbed in conjunction with one or both of these other mountains.
status which reaches a height of 962 metres (3156 feet), it is made up of red sandstone
(hence its translated name of Red Peak) and shows many of the characteristics of the Torridon Hills
to the west, in that it has steep terraced buttresses and considerable scree slopes. The north west face has precipitous cliffs which should be avoided by walkers, although these crags attract rock climbers with around 20 recognised traditional and winter climbs. The centre of the crag is split by a large couloir
(gully). There are plenty of easier routes on the crag.
which goes up Coire Lair to Torridon is taken for two kilometres where a cairn
indicates a path bearing left which crosses the River Lair (the river often requires wading) and climbs to the top of the Bhealaich Mhoir, the pass between Sgorr Ruadh and Fuar Tholl . From the top of the bhealaich
it is a 275 metre climb to the summit by-passing the many buttresses and gullies on the way.
The summit cairn stands in a spectacular position on the edge of sheer slopes and gives spectacular all round views. The two nearby Munros of Beinn Liath Mhòr and Maol Chean-dearg are well seen as are the Torridon mountains to the west. Many walkers will continue to the adjoining Munro of Beinn Liath Mhòr after climbing Sgorr Ruadh, this is not a straight forward walk as there are areas of crags and high rock steps at the foot of the pass between the two mountains.
Torridon Hills
The Torridon Hills surround Torridon village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The name is usually applied to the mountains to the north of Glen Torridon...
in Wester Ross
Wester Ross
is a western area of Ross and Cromarty in Scotland, notably containing the villages on the west coast such as:* Lochcarron* Applecross* Shieldaig* Torridon* Kinlochewe * * * Aultbea* Laide* Ullapool* Achiltibuie...
in the Highland Region
Highland (council area)
Highland is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in both Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole. It shares borders with the council areas of Moray, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, and Argyll and Bute. Their councils, and those of Angus and...
of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is located in Coire Lair near Achnashellach
Achnashellach
Achnashellach is an area in Wester Ross in the Highlands of Scotland, and within the Highland council area. It is at the eastern end of Loch Dùghaill, and on the A890 road...
along with two other fine mountains, Beinn Liath Mhòr
Beinn Liath Mhòr
Beinn Liath Mhòr is a Scottish mountain situated in the mountainous area between Strath Carron and Glen Torridon in Wester Ross in the Highland region. Geologically Beinn Liath Mhòr is made up of Cambrian quartzite scree and Torridonian sandstones giving the mountain a distinctive colour contrast...
and Fuar Tholl
Fuar Tholl
Fuar Tholl is a mountain in the highlands of Scotland. It is situated in the Coulin deer forest 21 km SW of Achnasheen in the Wester Ross region of the Highland council area.-Overview:...
, and is often climbed in conjunction with one or both of these other mountains.
Geography
Sgurr Ruadh is an attractive peak with MunroMunro
A Munro is a mountain in Scotland with a height over . They are named after Sir Hugh Munro, 4th Baronet , who produced the first list of such hills, known as Munros Tables, in 1891. A Munro top is a summit over 3,000 ft which is not regarded as a separate mountain...
status which reaches a height of 962 metres (3156 feet), it is made up of red sandstone
Torridonian
In geology, Torridonian describes a series of Neoproterozoic arenaceous sedimentary rocks, extensively developed in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, and particularly in the district of upper Loch Torridon, a circumstance which suggested the name Torridon Sandstone, first applied to these rocks...
(hence its translated name of Red Peak) and shows many of the characteristics of the Torridon Hills
Torridon Hills
The Torridon Hills surround Torridon village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The name is usually applied to the mountains to the north of Glen Torridon...
to the west, in that it has steep terraced buttresses and considerable scree slopes. The north west face has precipitous cliffs which should be avoided by walkers, although these crags attract rock climbers with around 20 recognised traditional and winter climbs. The centre of the crag is split by a large couloir
Couloir
A couloir is a narrow gully with a steep gradient in a mountainous terrain. A couloir may be a seam, scar, or fissure, or vertical crevasse in an otherwise solid mountain mass...
(gully). There are plenty of easier routes on the crag.
Ascents and summit
Direct ascents of Sgorr Ruadh are usually started from Achnashellach in Glen Carron, although it is possible to approach from Glen Torridon on a considerably longer and rougher route. From Achnnashellach the right of wayRights of way in Scotland
In Scotland a right of way is defined as any defined route over which the public has been able to pass unhindered for at least 20 years. The route must link two "public places", such as villages, churches or roads. Unlike in England and Wales there is no obligation on Scottish local authorities to...
which goes up Coire Lair to Torridon is taken for two kilometres where a cairn
Cairn
Cairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas...
indicates a path bearing left which crosses the River Lair (the river often requires wading) and climbs to the top of the Bhealaich Mhoir, the pass between Sgorr Ruadh and Fuar Tholl . From the top of the bhealaich
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
it is a 275 metre climb to the summit by-passing the many buttresses and gullies on the way.
The summit cairn stands in a spectacular position on the edge of sheer slopes and gives spectacular all round views. The two nearby Munros of Beinn Liath Mhòr and Maol Chean-dearg are well seen as are the Torridon mountains to the west. Many walkers will continue to the adjoining Munro of Beinn Liath Mhòr after climbing Sgorr Ruadh, this is not a straight forward walk as there are areas of crags and high rock steps at the foot of the pass between the two mountains.