Beinn Alligin

Infobox Mountain
Name = Beinn Alligin - Sgurr Mhor
Photo = Sgurr_Mhòr_(Alligin)_from_the_Horns.jpg
Caption = Looking back to Sgurr Mhòr from the Horns of Alligin
Elevation = 986 m
Location = Torridon, SCO
Prominence = "c." 601 m
Parent peak = Beinn Eighe
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 19, 24
Grid_ref_UK = NG865613
Listing = Munro, Marilyn
Translation = Big Peak
Language = Gaelic
Pronunciation = s̪kuːrˠ voːɾ

GB summits entry
Name=Tom na Gruagaich
Gridref=NG859601
Height=922 m (3,025 ft)
Status=Munro, Marilyn

Beinn Alligin (Gaelic: Beinn Àilleagan, pronounced|peɲˈaːʎakən) one of the classic mountains of the Torridon region of Scotland, lying to the north of Loch Torridon, in the Highlands. The name Beinn Alligin is from the Scottish Gaelic, meaning "Jewelled Hill", and is pronEng|bɛɪn ˈæləgɪn by non-Gaelic speakers. The mountain has two peaks of Munro status: Tom na Gruagaich (922 m) to the south, and Sgurr Mhòr (986 m) to the north.

The usual route of ascent starts from the minor road between Torridon village and Inveralligin, following the route of the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil (a river), before heading up into the corrie of Coir nan Laogh. Steep grassy slopes then lead to the summit of Tom na Gruagaich. The main ridge of Beinn Alligin is then followed round to the north, leading the hillwalker towards Sgurr Mhòr. Below the summit of this peak is a deep gash in the hillside known as Eag Dubh, the "black notch", one of Beinn Alligin's most recognisable features.

From the summit of Sgurr Mhòr, it is possible to continue along the ridge, now heading in an easterly direction. The ridge at this point becomes much rockier, and a series of pinnacles known as the "Horns of Alligin" must be negotiated. The horns provide good summer scrambling for those with a head for heights, but in winter they are a much more serious proposition.

An alternative descent, avoiding the horns, can be made by leaving the Beinn Alligin ridge at the col between the two summits (in Gaelic such a feature is known as a "bealach"), where grassy slopes can be followed westwards down into a neighbouring glen. This route is not straightforward under winter conditions.

External links

* Computer-generated virtual panoramas [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/HLD/Alligin.gifBeinn Alligin] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas.html Index]