Coire

Coires are everywhere in Scottish hill names: Coire na Tulaich is the standard summer route up Stob Dearg on the Buachaille; Coire Ardair is the famous coire of Creag Meagaidh with its winter climbing routes; Coire Cas is the developed corrie of the Cairngorm ski area. Many coires hold a lochan (a small loch) on their floor — Lochan Coire Mhic Fhearchair below Beinn Eighe is one of the most famous in Scotland.

Geologically, coires are concentrated on north-east-facing slopes because that's where snow accumulated longest during the last ice age (sheltered from prevailing south-west winds and from morning sun). The east face of Beinn Eighe carries six famous coires; the Northern Corries of Cairngorm hold three named coires that dominate the winter climbing literature.

For walkers, coires are often the steepest ground on a hill — both the approach (the headwall) and the descent (the screen slopes or moraine ridges) require care. Winter walkers must consider avalanche risk specifically in coires: the loaded north-east aspect that makes them spectacular also makes them the highest-hazard slopes in a snowpack-instability situation. The SAIS forecast names specific coires when avalanche risk is concentrated.