Sgurr a' Mhaoraich
Encyclopedia
Sgurr a' Mhaoraich is a Scottish
mountain
located to the north of Loch Quoich
in the north western highlands
. It has a height of 1027 m (3369 ft) and is classed as a Munro
. Viewed from Kinloch Hourn
to the west, or from the north, it shows large, steep, rocky flanks with a complex series of ridges and corries
, but like its neighbours such as Gleouraich
, its southern side is gentler and grassier.
The mountain was originally known as Sgurr a' Mhoraire, meaning peak of the landowner, but has been changed on modern maps to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich, which may be derived from the Gaelic maorach meaning shellfish. This may be a reference to the hill's ribbed summit, which has been said to resemble a shell.
The mountain is most commonly climbed from the shores of Loch Quioch to the south. A stalker's
path leads up the Bac nan Canaichean ridge to the subsidiary top of Sgurr Coire nan Eiricheallach (891m), which is connected to the main summit by a 1.5 km ridge, which has a number of rocky outcrops which can be scrambled
over or bypassed. An alternative, and less frequently climbed route is from the northeast end of Glen Quoich, by way of a stalker's path which runs the length of Coire a' Carorainn and to the rocky summit of An Bathaich (892m), and from there south to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich via a high bealach
.
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...
mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
located to the north of Loch Quoich
Loch Quoich
Loch Quoich is a loch and reservoir situated west of Loch Garry approximately 40k m northwest of Fort William, Lochaber, Scotland...
in the north western highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
. It has a height of 1027 m (3369 ft) and is classed as a Munro
Munro
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...
. Viewed from Kinloch Hourn
Kinloch Hourn
Kinloch Hourn is a small settlement at the end of Loch Hourn, in the West Highlands of Scotland. The name comes from the Gaelic, Ceann Loch Shubhairne, for "the head of Loch Hourn". Kinloch Hourn is at the end of of single-track road, which runs west from a junction with the A87 beside Loch...
to the west, or from the north, it shows large, steep, rocky flanks with a complex series of ridges and corries
Cirque
Cirque may refer to:* Cirque, a geological formation* Makhtesh, an erosional landform found in the Negev desert of Israel and Sinai of Egypt*Cirque , an album by Biosphere* Cirque Corporation, a company that makes touchpads...
, but like its neighbours such as Gleouraich
Gleouraich
Gleouraich is a Scottish mountain located to the north of Loch Quoich in the north western highlands. It has a height of 1035 m and is classed as a Munro...
, its southern side is gentler and grassier.
The mountain was originally known as Sgurr a' Mhoraire, meaning peak of the landowner, but has been changed on modern maps to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich, which may be derived from the Gaelic maorach meaning shellfish. This may be a reference to the hill's ribbed summit, which has been said to resemble a shell.
The mountain is most commonly climbed from the shores of Loch Quioch to the south. A stalker's
Deer stalking
Deer stalking is a British term for the stealthy pursuit of deer for sporting purposes, historically with dogs such as Scottish Deerhounds, or in modern times typically with a high powered rifle fitted with a telescopic sight to hunt them....
path leads up the Bac nan Canaichean ridge to the subsidiary top of Sgurr Coire nan Eiricheallach (891m), which is connected to the main summit by a 1.5 km ridge, which has a number of rocky outcrops which can be scrambled
Scrambling
Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hillwalking and rock climbing. It is often distinguished from hillwalking by defining a scramble as a route where hands must be used in the ascent...
over or bypassed. An alternative, and less frequently climbed route is from the northeast end of Glen Quoich, by way of a stalker's path which runs the length of Coire a' Carorainn and to the rocky summit of An Bathaich (892m), and from there south to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich via a high bealach
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...
.