Scottish Mountain Photo Gallery

Skye Cuillin: Sgurr a' Mhadaidh via Coir a' Mhadaidh.

While you explore the Cuillin ridge on the edge of the Atlantic why not listen to "Edge of the World" (3.2MB mp3) by Scottish band Don't give up the day job!

27/05/04. GPS track of route, we started at 0730, were on the 4th top of Mhadaidh at 1200, the 1st top at 1500 and finished at 1810.

The moon and Jupiter over the campsite at Glen Brittle.

Heading up Coire na Creiche beside Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh.

Coire na Creiche looking up into Coir' a Tairneilear with the Shoulder of Bruach na Frithe (958m), Sgurr na Bhairnich (860m) and Sgurr an Fheadain (688m) on the skyline.

Crystal waters of the Fairy Pools, Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh.

Scrambling over the gabbro slabs on the floor of the hanging valley, Coir' a' Mhadaidh.

Our route onto the NW ridge of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m) to Sgurr Thuillm (881m).

Giant boulders on the floor of Coir' a' Mhadaidh.

Panorama looking SE from the col on the NW ridge of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m) to Sgurr Thuillm (881m). From left, Bruach na Frithe (958m), Sgurr a' Fionn Choire (935m), Sgurr nan Gillean (964m), Sgurr na Bhairnich (860m), Bidein Druim nan Ramh (869m) 1st, 2nd and 4th tops of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m), Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh (973m) down to An Diallaid (712m) with the Three Teeth, Sgurr Thormaid (926m) in shadow and Sgurr na Banachdich (965m) in the distance.

NW ridge of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m). The edge gives the best scrambling with most exposure.

A lone scrambler taking the easier line to the right (SW) of the ridge.

View from the 4th top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m) towards the 3rd top. The best line is shown but an easier line traverses horizontally fro the col to the end of the grassy ledge to the S of the ridge before cutting up broken ground to the crest.

View to Coruisk and Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh (973m) from the 4th top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m).

View to Bruach na Frithe (958m), Sgurr a' Fionn Choire (935m), Sgurr nan Gillean (964m) and distant Clach Glas (786m) and Bla Bheinn (928m) from the 4th top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m).

Descending from the tower at the NE end of the ridge of the 4th top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m).

Looking up at the tower from the dyke which leads to the 3rd top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh. The best route from the 4th top descends slabs into a notch before the terminal tower then climbs the tower directly by a few exposed moves, then descends the other side of the tower as in the photo above. Alternatively, masochists can skirt the bottom of the tower on delightfully smooth basalt slabs which steepen and drop away to nothing. This route will provide even more enjoyment to such folk when it is damp or wet.

Approaching the 2nd top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh from the west. The route goes directly up the 20m wall from the large block on the coll. There is a belay ledge half way up if you are scrambling with a short rope.

Looking down the west wall of the 2nd top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh. The scramblers are on the half way ledge.

View from the 1st top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh west to the 4th top, the NW ridge and Sgurr Thuillm (881m). The deep notch between the 2nd and 1st tops can be seen. Travelling W to E descend into it diagonally from the N side to the S side then climb straight out.

View from the 1st top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh to distant Rum, An Stac, and the Inaccessible Pinnacle of Sgurr Dearg (986m).

Loch Coruisk and Loch Scavaig from the 1st top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh.

Bidein Druim nam Ramh (869m) with Sgurr nan Gillean (964m) and Sgurr na h-Uamha (763m) behind from the 1st top of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh.

Sgurr an Fheadain (688m) and the 4 tops of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918m) from the Fairy Pools, Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh.

What a place for a swim.

A refreshing basin.

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Site editor: Douglas Wilcox (D.E.Wilcox@clinmed.gla.ac.uk )
Created 05/06/04
Updated 05/06/04