Sgurr na Sgine

One of two mountains (the other being The Saddle) which form the continuation of the South Glen Shiel Ridge westwards almost to the head of Loch Duich. The Saddle is a particularly fine peak whose east ridge, the Forcan Ridge, is a narrow rocky arete a few hundred metres long leading to Sgurr na Forcan, from where a graceful curving ridge leads to the summit. The ascent of this ridge is the best scramble in the Kintail mountains. To the west and north of the summit a long ridge curves round the Coire Uaine. To the south-east of The Saddle, Sgurr na Sgine is not well seen from Glen Shiel as it is hidden behind the steep terminal nose of Faochag, a sharp pointed peak which dominates the view from Glen Shiel. The most impressive feature of Sgurr na Sgine is its steep south-east face which drops precipitously a few metres from the summit cairn.

Any traverse of The Saddle should include the Forcan Ridge. It is best reached from Glen Shiel by a stalker's path starting at the Allt Mhalagain and climbing towards Meallan Odhar. The Forcan Ridge starts from the col south-west of this hill and gives some very pleasant easy scrambling up the narrow crest to Sgurr na Forcan and onwards to the summit of The Saddle. From there make a descending traverse to the Bealach Coire Mhalagain and climb to the ridge between Sgurr na Sgine and Faochag. It is only a short distance further to Sgurr na Sgine over its North-west Top. Return along the ridge to Faochag and descend its narrow and continuously steep north-east ridge to the glen a short distance from the day's starting point.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)