| Sgùrr Alasdair | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 992 m (3,255 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 992 m (3,255 ft) Ranked 5th inBritish Isles |
| Parent peak | none - HPSkye |
| Listing | Munro,Marilyn |
| Coordinates | 57°12′25.39″N6°13′24.55″W / 57.2070528°N 6.2234861°W /57.2070528; -6.2234861 |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Alexander's peak |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | Scottish Gaelic:[s̪kurˠˈal̪ˠəs̪t̪ɪɾʲ] |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | Cuillin |
| OS grid | NG450207 |
| Topo map | OSLandranger 32 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1873,Alexander Nicolson |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Sgùrr Alasdair is the highest peak of theBlack Cuillin, and the highest peak on theIsle of Skye and in theInner Hebrides, and indeed in all theScottish islands, at 992 m (3,255 ft). Like the rest of the range it is composed ofgabbro, a rock with excellent grip formountaineering. It is named afterAlexander Nicolson, who made the first recorded ascent in 1873.[2] Prior to this the mountain had been locally known as Sgurr Biorach.[3]
As with other hills of the Cuillin, ahead for heights andscrambling ability are needed to attain the summit. The least technical route follows a feature known as the "Great Stone Chute", ascree gully that leads up from thecorrie of Coire Lagan to abealach just below the main ridge. From this col, a pleasant scramble (Grade 2 standard) up the well scratched east ridge leads to the narrow summit.[4]
Other routes require scrambling ability orrock climbing; while there are rock climbs directly up the flanks, the only other way of reaching the summit via a ridge is the south-west ridge, a Grade 3 scramble that begins up a scratched chimney which can be accessed from the summit of Sgùrr Sgumain or from Coir' a' Ghrunnda; there is also a slightly easier route from the top of this chimney directly up a shallow gully on the south face. The summit of Sgùrr Alasdair can be attained by a short detour (from Sgùrr Theàrlaich) off the main ridge by climbers undertaking the full traverse of the Cuillin ridge, or by those following the circuit of Coire Lagan.
| Northern Highlands (20) |    | |
|---|---|---|
| Western Highlands (20) | ||
| Central and Eastern Highlands (13) | ||
| Southern Highlands (15) | ||
| Islands (13) | ||
| Scottish Lowlands, England and Wales (13) | ||
| Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland (25) | ||
