Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Sgurr nan Eag
Sgurr nan Eag (926m) — "peak of the notches" — is the southernmost Munro of the Black Cuillin, marking the long quartz-veined gabbro ridge above Coire nan Laogh. It is one of the most accessible Cuillin Munros, requiring scrambling but no roped sections on the standard route. The hill is often the first Cuillin Munro tackled by walkers building up to the harder summits further north.
Quick facts
- Height
- 926.3m/ 3039ft
- Prominence
- 130 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 815 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG457195
- 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% · Bouldery corrie 40% · Ridge scramble 40%
From the Glenbrittle camp site take the path south-east into Coire Lagan country, branching south for Coire nan Laogh below the long south-east face of Sgurr nan Eag. Climb the bouldery floor and screes to the lochan-strewn col, then turn south up the gabbro ridge to the summit cairn. Most parties return the same way; some link northwards to Sgurr Dubh Mor on a much harder day. Around 11km return with 820m of ascent.
Terrain
The Glenbrittle approach path is rough and boggy through moorland for 2km. Coire nan Laogh is unrelenting boulder-hopping on quartz-veined gabbro — superb friction in the dry. The summit ridge is broad for Cuillin standards but exposed on the western side. Compass useless throughout — magnetic anomaly across the Cuillin gabbro.
In winter
A serious winter mountaineering objective rather than a hillwalk. Cuillin gabbro becomes plated with rime ice and verglas; the south-east coire holds wind-loaded slab. SAIS Skye covers the Cuillin formally during the season. Glenbrittle road remains accessible in normal conditions but storms can isolate the campsite. Winter ascents typically require axe, crampons and short rope.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 40m
- Edinburgh4h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: No signal in the southern Cuillin. Glenbrittle has reasonable signal. Grab maps before crossing 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 nan Eag.
Around Sgurr nan Eag 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
24km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Talisker
Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied
15km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr nan Eag — common questions
- How hard is Sgurr nan Eag?
- We grade Sgurr nan Eag at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 16km with 815m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Underfoot: The Glenbrittle approach path is rough and boggy through moorland for 2km.
- What is Sgurr nan Eag's prominence?
- 130m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sgurr nan Eag to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Sgurr nan Eag?
- 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 nan Eag?
- May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Sgurr nan Eag. 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 nan Eag 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 nan Eag?
- No signal in the southern Cuillin. Glenbrittle has reasonable signal. Grab maps before crossing into the corrie.
- Is Sgurr nan Eag safe in winter?
- A serious winter mountaineering objective rather than a hillwalk. Cuillin gabbro becomes plated with rime ice and verglas; the south-east coire holds wind-loaded slab. SAIS Skye covers the Cuillin formally during the season. Glenbrittle road remains accessible in normal conditions but storms can isolate the campsite. Winter ascents typically require axe, crampons and short rope.
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