Bruach na Frithe

1

NG485298 From the Sligachan Hotel, walk a short way west along the A863 and take the first path on the left-hand side. Follow the path beside the Allt Dearg Mor (big red burn), passing by a footbridge and continuing towards a white cottage. A sign indicates the path to the right before reaching the cottage. The path is easy to follow as it climbs across the moor beside the burn. To the left (south) the Pinnacle

Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean comes into view – to far greater effect than the view from Glen Sligachan.

2

NG454277 After 4km a cairn marks the point to leave the path and cross the burn, heading south-southeast. The path climbs the grassy lower reaches of Fionn Choire (pale corrie) with the peak of Bruach na Frithe above the head of the corrie on the right. The path is well-defined at first, but as it climbs higher and crosses a burn it becomes less distinct. If you lose the path just continue the ascent bearing southeast until reaching the rockier terrain of the upper corrie where the path becomes distinct once more, climbing across rocky ground and scree on the left side of the corrie. A steep climb over a well-trodden scree slope leads to the Bealach nan Lice.

3

NG464252

The topography of Bealach nan Lice is complex and potentially confusing in poor visibility. To the left is the summit of Sgurr a’

Basteir, which can also be climbed without difficulty from the bealach – the detour is worthwhile for the magnificent view of Sgurr nan Gillean and the splendid Pinnacle Ridge. The bealach also provides a good view of an impressive rock pinnacle known as the Basteir Tooth. To the right of the pinnacle is the rocky summit of Sgurr a Fionn Choire, which can be climbed by confident scramblers. To continue on to the summit of Bruach Na Frithe, follow the path through the scree below Sgurr a Fionn Choire, which initially stays a little below the ridge line to avoid some rocky obstacles before gaining the ridge and beginning the climb to the summit. The easiest route to the top stays left of the low crags. The summit of Bruach Na Frithe (958m) is the only peak on the

Cuillin ridge with an OS trig point. Beyond Bruach na Frithe, the main Cuillin ridge turns to the south and the views in both directions make for some of the finest mountain vistas in all Scotland.

4

NG461252 The easiest option for the return to Sligachan is simply to retrace your outward route. However, descending the north-west ridge makes for an entertaining alternative. This ridge is usually considered a moderate scramble, but all the difficulties it presents can be bypassed by way of a path which runs along the left side of the ridge well below the crest on scree and rough ground. The path is easier to follow when descending and avoids any real scrambling. Once the steepest part of the ridge has been bypassed the path returns to the narrow crest for the final section. At the end of the ridge the ground drops away more steeply; the worst of the scree can be avoided by bearing right and keeping to the northern spur in order to descend to a flattish grassy area. From here, bear right to continue down the grassy slope on the right to rejoin the outward route near to where the stream was crossed at the foot of Fionn Choire.