Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich

Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich, at 1,027 metres, is a solitary Munro on the north side of Loch Quoich between Kintail and Knoydart, a fine viewpoint particularly looking down Loch Hourn towards the sea and across to Skye.

The route starts from parking just west of the concrete bridge over the northern arm of Loch Quoich. A good stalkers' path climbs steadily from the road — a fairly tough slog initially — with views opening back over Loch Quoich as height is gained. Around 700 metres, the track levels off, skirting slopes falling to the loch, before steepening towards the subsidiary top of Sgùrr Coire nan Eiricheallach — snow can linger here well into the year on the more sheltered sections. The ridge curves left, traversing two summits with steep drops north into Coire a' Chaorainn, before a drystone dyke marks where the ridge narrows and becomes better defined. The final climb to Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich is steep but with no rock that cannot be avoided, and the summit commands fabulous views — the full length of Loch Quoich to the south, the South Glen Shiel Ridge to the north, and finest of all, the Knoydart mountains and open sea to the west.

The easiest return retraces the stalkers' path, but in good weather it's worth continuing around Coire a' Chaorainn instead: following the flattish summit ridge north-north-west for around 350 metres before descending, with care, very steep and slippery slopes to the Bealach Coire a' Chaorainn, then climbing to Am Bathaich for a long, more adventurous descent into Glen Quoich via a series of interminable zig-zags and a crossing of the Allt Coire a' Chaorainn.

An alternative western approach starts from Kinloch Hourn, following a stalkers' track up the broad west shoulder via the subsidiary top of Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich Beag — a good option when the Loch Quoich road is affected by closures.

The out-and-back route from the Loch Quoich bridge is typically five to six hours; the extended circuit via Am Bathaich adds considerably to this, given the long walk back down Glen Quoich.

The mountain does not combine easily with its neighbours given its solitary position, and the extended circuit via Am Bathaich crosses genuinely steep, slippery ground that demands care — full navigation skills are valuable, particularly in poor visibility on the connecting ridges.

Parking near the Loch Quoich bridge is free but limited; there is no public transport to the start.