Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Sgurr Alasdair
Sgùrr Alasdair (992m) — named after Sheriff Alexander Nicolson, the Skye Munroist who made the first ascent in 1873 — is the highest peak on the Cuillin and the highest mountain in the British Isles outside the Scottish mainland. The peak forms one of the great pinnacled summits of the Cuillin Ridge, accessed via the famous Great Stone Chute — a 400m gully of moving scree that is the standard ascent line. The summit is a small rocky platform with breathtaking exposure on all sides.
Quick facts
- Height
- 992m/ 3255ft
- Prominence
- 992 m
- Distance
- 9 km
- Ascent
- 990 m
- Time
- 5–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG450207
- Parking
- NG410205
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
Path to Coire Lagan 25% · Grade 2 scramble 35% · Grade 3 summit scramble 40%
Start from the Glenbrittle Campsite. Take the path north into Coir' a' Ghrunnda, then up the steep slabs to Loch Coir' a' Ghrunnda. From the loch climb the punishing Great Stone Chute — a 400m line of loose moving scree — to the col between Sgùrr Alasdair and Sgùrr Sgumain. A short rocky scramble up the summit block reaches the cairn. Around 9km return with 990m of ascent. Cuillin Ridge round adds Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, Inaccessible Pinnacle and Sgurr Dearg.
Terrain
The Coir' a' Ghrunnda path is rough boggy moor for the first kilometre, then climbs onto slabby gabbro pavements with hand-on-rock moves. The Great Stone Chute is one of the most punishing scree ascents in Britain — every step slides back, and the descent is faster but unstable. The summit block requires a brief Grade 3 scramble. The Cuillin gabbro provides exceptional friction in the dry but glazes treacherously in the wet. Compass readings unreliable due to the magnetic gabbro.
In winter
A serious Cuillin winter mountaineering objective. The Great Stone Chute becomes a steep snow climb (Grade I–II) with avalanche risk when loaded. The summit ridge gabbro glazes readily with verglas. Daylight is short and the Cuillin in winter conditions demands rope work and competent mountaineering technique. Phone signal absent on the ridge; GPS essential. Compass disrupted by gabbro magnetism.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 42m
- Edinburgh4h 28m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: Moderate signal at Glenbrittle campsite. No signal on the ridge. GPS essential — Cuillin gabbro disrupts compass readings.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:05
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:54
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr Alasdair.
Around Sgurr Alasdair on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
32km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
23km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Talisker
Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied
13km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr Alasdair — common questions
- How hard is Sgurr Alasdair?
- We grade Sgurr Alasdair at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 9km with 990m of climbing; allow 5-6 hours. Underfoot: The Coir' a' Ghrunnda path is rough boggy moor for the first kilometre, then climbs onto slabby gabbro pavements with hand-on-rock moves.
- What is Sgurr Alasdair's prominence?
- Sgurr Alasdair's prominence is its full height — 992m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it.
- Where do I park for Sgurr Alasdair?
- Most walkers start from NG410205 near Fort William. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Sgurr Alasdair?
- May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Sgurr Alasdair. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Sgurr Alasdair dog-friendly?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Sgurr Alasdair?
- Moderate signal at Glenbrittle campsite. No signal on the ridge. GPS essential — Cuillin gabbro disrupts compass readings.
- Is Sgurr Alasdair safe in winter?
- A serious Cuillin winter mountaineering objective. The Great Stone Chute becomes a steep snow climb (Grade I–II) with avalanche risk when loaded. The summit ridge gabbro glazes readily with verglas. Daylight is short and the Cuillin in winter conditions demands rope work and competent mountaineering technique. Phone signal absent on the ridge; GPS essential. Compass disrupted by gabbro magnetism.
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