Sgòrr Ruadh

Sgòrr Ruadh, at 960-962 metres, is a majestically sculpted red sandstone monolith of the Coulin Forest, its impressive northern face rising above Coire Làir, though the south and west sides are considerably less dramatic. Munro-baggers often pair this peak with neighbouring Beinn Liath Mhòr, best climbed first given the route up Sgòrr Ruadh is easier to find in ascent.

The route starts from a layby on the A890 opposite the phone box and the private road to Achnashellach station. Crossing the railway line, a track leads through forestry, with fine views of the prow of the Corbett Fuar Tholl ahead, before a path branches left, climbing through mixed woodland alongside the Allt an Leth-chreig, past a waterfall detour, and out onto open moorland. At a cairn marking a junction, the path splits — right for Beinn Liath Mhòr, left continuing towards the bealach shared between the two Munros. From here, the ascent of Sgòrr Ruadh climbs directly and steeply across stones to a narrowing summit ridge and the cairn and shelter, with sensational views taking in the Torridon hills, the three linked lochs of Loch Torridon, Loch Shieldaig, and Upper Loch Torridon, and on the clearest days, even the Outer Hebrides and the Skye Cuillin nearly 35 miles distant.

The easiest return retraces the ascent, but for a circuit, the north-west ridge offers an alternative descent — a short, easy scrambling section, diverting to the west flank to avoid the rocky crest, before rejoining the ridge down a slope of quartzite boulders, eventually dropping to a lochan at a lower bealach and rejoining the excellent stalkers' path back down through Coire Làir.

The combined round taking in both Sgòrr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mhòr from Achnashellach is typically seven to nine hours; the very fit sometimes extend the day further to include the neighbouring Corbett Fuar Tholl.

The moorland approach involves a stream crossing that could be awkward in spate, and higher up the terrain becomes pathless, complex, and rough, demanding good navigation skills — the descent also includes some easy scrambling that requires care, particularly on tired legs.

The A890 layby is free; Achnashellach has a request-stop railway station on the Inverness-Kyle line, a short walk from the start.