Creag nan Dàmh

Creag nan Dàmh, at 918 metres, is the seventh and final Munro of the South Glen Shiel Ridge, its ascent from the preceding ridge widely described by regular visitors as a genuine trial for worn-out legs after a long day.

Reached from Sgùrr an Lochain, past the bypassed minor top of Sgùrr Beag, the ridge drops to its lowest point at 729 metres beside a small lochan before the final climb — after a pronounced dip, a short, straightforward scramble up the far side leads to the summit, the last of the day's seven peaks.

From the summit, the route continues along the ridge for nearly two kilometres, following the remains of an old drystone dyke to the Bealach Duibh Leac, where a small cairn marks the turn north to begin the steeper descent. An old stalkers' path, initially faint but marked by small cairns, winds down the northern slope, boggy and rocky in places, back towards Glen Shiel and the A87.

The full South Glen Shiel Ridge, taking in all seven Munros — Creag a' Mhàim, Druim Shionnach, Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgùrr an Doire Leathain, Sgùrr an Lochain, and Creag nan Dàmh — is around 25 kilometres with roughly 1,900 metres of ascent, typically ten to eleven hours for a fit party; for those seeking an even longer day, the ridge can be extended west via The Saddle and Sgùrr na Sgine to include nine Munros in total.

This final stretch of an already very long day should not be underestimated — the descent path is boggy and rocky, and tired legs combined with failing light in later hours have caught out several parties; full navigation, fitness, and a realistic assessment of remaining daylight are all essential.

Parking in the layby east of the Cluanie Inn is free; Citylink buses between Glasgow and Inverness run along the A87, stopping at Cluanie Inn on request.