Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Sgurr Dubh Mor
Sgùrr Dubh Mòr (944m) — "big black peak" — is the southern Munro of the Cuillin Ridge, sitting on the eastern side of the main crest above Loch Coruisk. The hill is famous for the Dubh Ridge — a sustained Grade 3 scrambling line up the long sloping gabbro slabs from Loch Coruisk that is widely regarded as one of the finest scrambles in Scotland. The summit gives spectacular views over the inner Cuillin and out to Rum.
Gaelic: “sharp peak, black, big” · Pronunciation: skoor doo more
Quick facts
- Height
- 944.1m/ 3097ft
- Prominence
- 89 m
- Grid ref
- NG457205
- 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
Glenbrittle path 20% · Rocky approach 30% · Dubh Ridge scramble 50%
The classic line is the Dubh Ridge from Loch Coruisk — accessed by Misty Isle ferry from Elgol. Climb the long sloping gabbro slabs north-east up the Dubh Ridge to Sgùrr Dubh Beag (Top), then continue along the increasingly narrow rocky crest to Sgùrr Dubh Mòr — sustained Grade 3 scrambling throughout. Alternatively from Glenbrittle via Coire a' Ghrunnda climb the steep boulder slopes north-east onto the connecting ridge. Around 12km return with 1100m of ascent.
Terrain
The Dubh Ridge is sustained Grade 3 scrambling on perfect gabbro slabs — long sloping pavements with airy moves between rocky steps. The summit ridge between Sgùrr Dubh Beag and Sgùrr Dubh Mòr is narrow and exposed. Loch Coruisk is approached by ferry from Elgol; the Glenbrittle alternative via Coire a' Ghrunnda involves steep boulder slopes. Compass readings unreliable on Cuillin gabbro.
In winter
A serious Cuillin winter mountaineering objective. The Dubh Ridge in winter conditions becomes a sustained Grade III/IV climb. Cuillin gabbro glazes readily with verglas. The Misty Isle ferry from Elgol may not run in winter. Few parties tackle this hill in winter; most Munroists choose summer ascents.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 41m
- Edinburgh4h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: No signal in the southern Cuillin. Glenbrittle campsite has 4G. Have maps ready before heading into the corrie.
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 Dubh Mor.
Around Sgurr Dubh Mor 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
31km 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
14km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr Dubh Mor — common questions
- What difficulty is Sgurr Dubh Mor?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sgurr Dubh Mor comes in at 5/5 — very challenging. Terrain: The Dubh Ridge is sustained Grade 3 scrambling on perfect gabbro slabs — long sloping pavements with airy moves between rocky steps.
- How prominent is Sgurr Dubh Mor?
- Sgurr Dubh Mor has 89m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Sgurr Dubh Mor?
- Standard parking is at NG410205 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Sgurr Dubh Mor?
- The standard good-weather months for Sgurr Dubh Mor are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Sgurr Dubh Mor?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Sgurr Dubh Mor?
- No signal in the southern Cuillin. Glenbrittle campsite has 4G. Have maps ready before heading into the corrie.
- Is Sgurr Dubh Mor safe in winter?
- A serious Cuillin winter mountaineering objective. The Dubh Ridge in winter conditions becomes a sustained Grade III/IV climb. Cuillin gabbro glazes readily with verglas. The Misty Isle ferry from Elgol may not run in winter. Few parties tackle this hill in winter; most Munroists choose summer ascents.
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