Sgurr Alasdair

Infobox Mountain
Name = Sgurr Alasdair
Photo = sgurr_alasdair2.jpg
Caption =
Elevation = 993 m (3258 ft)
Location = Skye, Scotland
Range = Cuillin
Prominence = 992 m Ranked 5th in British Isles
Parent peak= "none" - HP Skye
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 32
First ascent = 1873, Alexander Nicolson
Easiest route = scramble
Grid_ref_UK = NG450207
Listing = Munro, Marilyn
Translation = Alexander's peak
Language = Gaelic
Pronunciation = s̪kurˠˈalˠ̪əs̪t̪əɾʲ

Sgurr Alasdair is the highest peak of the Black Cuillin, and the highest peak on the Isle of Skye. Like the rest of the range it is composed of gabbro, a rock with excellent grip for mountaineering.

As with other hills of the Cuillin, a head for heights and scrambling ability are needed to attain the summit. The least technical route follows a feature known as the "Great Stone Shoot" – a line of scree that leads up from the corrie of Coire Lagan to join the main ridge below the summit. A short section of scrambling is then followed to the sharpest summit in the Cuillin.

Other routes require scrambling ability or rock climbing. The summit of Sgurr Alasdair can be attained by a short detour off the main ridge by climbers undertaking the full traverse of the Cuillin ridge, or by those following the circuit of Coire Lagan.

External links

* Computer-generated virtual panoramas [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/ISL/Skye_Alasdair.gifSgurr Alasdair] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas.html Index]