Sgùrr na Ruaidhe

Sgùrr na Ruaidhe, at 993 metres, is the first Munro reached on the classic clockwise circuit of the Glen Strathfarrar mountains, looking deceptively easy from the approach despite much of the ascent being hidden from view at this angle.

The route starts from a car park near Milton Cottage in Glen Strathfarrar, following a track uphill past a small dam and continuing along the Allt Coire Mhuillidh. Càrn nan Gobhar can be seen ahead as a rather insignificant grassy dome, while Sgùrr na Ruaidhe, slightly to the right, appears deceptively easy — much of the actual ascent is hidden from this angle. Before a stone shelter is reached near the top, the walk to a col known as the Bealach nam Botaichean continues in a north, north-west direction on lovely spongy moss and grass — very easy going underfoot — before the summit cairn is reached a little further on at 993 metres.

From the summit, most walkers continue to Càrn nan Gobhar via the Bealach nam Botaichean, a small steep section leading to the col before a long, straightforward pull up the neighbouring Munro.

The full four-Munro circuit — Sgùrr na Ruaidhe, Càrn nan Gobhar, Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais, and Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill — from Milton Cottage is around 22-25 kilometres with roughly 1,650 metres of ascent, typically eight to ten hours, and this circuit remains one of the least visited in Scotland given the private road restrictions limiting vehicle access up the glen.

The moss and grass terrain on the approach is pleasant and generally straightforward, though the whole circuit demands full navigation skills and fitness given its length and the remote nature of the surrounding country.

Parking near Milton Cottage is free, though the private road up Glen Strathfarrar has access restrictions — check current arrangements before visiting; there is no public transport to the start.