229, 230. Beinn Alligin (Tom na Gruagaich (268), Sgurr Mhor (162) (P600 46)). 21/06/2021

Having tired ourselves out a little the previous day and with rain forecast for the morning, we chose these hills so that we could start later in the day and make the best of it. They turned out to be a cracker.

Starting at 11.30, the light rain was just finishing and the clouds cleared ahead of us. The initial climb doesn't mess about and we were quickly into the upper reaches of Tom na Gruagaich. The path was of top quality throughout, having had the benefit of a multi-million pound donation in the recent past. In the upper part of the ascent, this follows a stream, which must originate from a spring which produces some of the clearest and most delicious mountain water I have tasted. 

There were dramatic views from the top or the ridge and "horns" to come. The path clung to the northern slopes of this hill as it made its way to the ridge. On our way up to the summit of Sgurr Mhor, we found the famous gash that was very dramatic and cleaves the whole mountain.

From the top the real fun began and we climbed down towards the first of the Horns of Alligin. This was all quite straightforward scrambling, but there was a lot of it and keeping to the crest made for half an hour of continuous interest. Once over the third one, the descent was sharp and straightforward, with steps in many places. This was followed by a gentle walk out. Overall, 12km and 1300m ascent took us 4h45.

The hillside up to TnG

The steep sides of Sgurr Mhor and "the horns" beyond

The gash of the wailing. And Ben

The Horns from above

Back to the shapely summit of Sgurr Mhor from mid-scramble