Sgurr an Utha
8th February 2025. With wind and low cloud streaming from the east in early February, the NW Highlands was the place to be. Paul and I went for the three-fold treat -- of being out west / in wall to wall sunshine / and on a Scottish mountain which we'd not done before.
Sgurr an Utha has never been mentioned on this website, so it deserves a little exposure, as we had a grand day. The start point is 3 km west of Glenfinnan, where a rough track leads through the end of a wood, to finally peter out at 450 metres or so on the flanks of a lumpy ridge. The ground leads upwards to Fraoch-Bheinn 790 m.
There is no path. We wove our way through a tangle of lumps and drops, outcrops and craglets. This used to be the case on many a Munro:- look at the map and work the ground.
The “Walkhighlands” description suggests by-passing the top of Fraoch-Beinn. We were glad we ignored that advice, because there is an excellent view of the Corryhully Horseshoe immediately to the north. The eastern Munro of Sgurr Thuilm had a few slivers of snow, and drew the eye with its prominent SW ridge and descent path to the bothy, which was almost under our feet less than a mile north-east of us.
This mountain was one of the places where his minders kept “Bonny Prince Charlie” hidden on the summit in daytime in 1746, moving on at night. To the right, lies the surprisingly steep and narrow cleft of Bealach Chaorainn, through which we walked to A'Chuil bothy on one of our trips to Knoydart.
Our rough ridge led westwards towards Sgurr an Utha summit. Out west, we could make out the dim shapes of Skye, Rum and Eigg. Nearer, lies the small Loch Beoraidh.
Beyond, hidden by hills, is Loch Morar. The deepest in Scotland, and the place of the capture of of Simon Fraser Lord Lovat after an epic journey from Strathfarrar which would be possibly the toughest and wildest multi-day long walk in Scotland to do today.
In clear and gentle weather, Paul and I had no fears of arrest and execution, so all we had to do was concentrate on getting back down the western arm of our horseshoe through its rocky maze. Looking back, we shook our heads and agreed there was no chance of picking out the route we'd just come down.
Certainly NOT recommended without good visibility, but an interesting hill for a day when there is still only a few hours of daylight. Reaching the track again, we made our way down, and to our hotel in Fort William, complete with a Saturday night singer.
We had expected at least a bit of snow, so on Sunday 9 February we tramped up Carn Mor Dhearg in order to find some.
This didn't happen until after 700 metres, and even at high levels the cover was thin and unconsolidated.
On the Ben, the snowfield leading to No 2 and No 3 gullies was present, but probably not in a good state.
I took the statutory photos before reversing route to aim for the evening train from Stirling.
ANDREW