Beinn Alligin - Torridon's Jewel

Ben Alligin

Glen Torridon is perhaps the most scenic of all the Northern Highland glens. The fine sculptured Torridonian Sandstone mountains rear up from sea level with such indivuality, and beauty that one cannot fail to be impressed. Ben Alligin - The Jeweled Mountain is just that when viewed from across Loch Torridon. For the first time visitor to the area, Beinn Alligin makes a fine introduction to the pleasures of Torridonian hillwalking. The ridge traverse is much shorter and less complex than its neighbours, Liathach and Beinn Eighe and the scrambling is not so difficult and sustained. The mountain consists of Torridionian Sandstone that is reputed to be over 1000 million years old. The most famous feature is the enormous gash of the Eag Dhuibh, which splits the main summit Sgurr Mhor in half. This huge hole in the mountain was formed as the result of a huge landslide, much of the remaining debris still lies in the corrie below. The Horns or Na Rathain are the other fine and notable feature of this splendid mountain, they are a series of pinnacles which provide some good sport particularly in winter, when the mountain is at it's best.

Beinn Alligin viewed from Loch Torridon

Beinn Alligin - Facts and Figures

Distance : 6.5 miles

Total Ascent : 4000ft

Time : 4 - 6 hours

Route Grading : An excellent introduction to the pleasures of the Torridon ridges, all hard scrambling can be avoided if necessary. In winter the traverse is probably best done East to West starting with the horns, where most difficulties are concentrated. (Grade I).

Accommodation : Hotels at Kinlochewe and Torridon. Youth Hostel at Torridon, and camping on the shore of Loch Torridon. Ling Hut in Glen Torridon (SMC).

**Summits Visited In Our Route**
Gaelic Name	Translation	Height (ft)	Height (m)	Status
Tom na Gruagaich	Knoll of the Maiden	3024ft	922m	Munro
Sgurr Mhor	Big Peak	3232ft	985m	Munro

**Maps**
Publisher	Scale	Title / No
Ordnance Survey	1:50000	Sheet 24
Ordnance Survey	1:25000	The Cuillin & Torridon Hills
Bartholomew's	1:100000	Sheet 54

Sketch Diagram showing Beinn Alligin route © Cameron Johnston 1997

We begin our route on the minor road that runs from Torridon to Diabeg, at a car park provided by the National Trust for Scotland, who are the current 'Guardians' of the land in this area. A nice waterfall flowing through a gorge is our first sight of the day. We follow the left hand side of the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil for a short distance before climbing up onto the flattish moorland below the mountain, it is from here we catch a glimpse of Loch Torridon.

Most guide books I have encountered seen to suggest climbing up into Coire nan Laoigh, however we would like to suggest climbing the steep ridge on the left side of the corrie. From below it looks very steep, but the scramble up is fairly easy and open to variation. From this ridge the view across the corrie is dominated by Sgurr Mhor which lives up to its name of Big Peak.

Beinn Alligin viewed from Liathach

On reaching the top of this ridge we encounter a small top before crossing a gap to Tom na Gruagaich. This summit is afforded the status of Top in Munros tables, and many people have argued that it should be a Munro, as it is a very distinct summit with a significant drop between it and Sgurr Mhor. Rumour has it the New edition of the tables shall promote the summit to Munro Status, then the stampede shall begin by all the baggers who possibly missed it first time.

The ridge from Tom na Gruagaich drops fairly steeply down to the bealach, before a even steeper climb back up towards Sgurr Mhor. This ridge is enlivened by the massive 'Eag Dhiubh' or Black Notch. This was formed by a massive landslide and the debris of which can still be seen below in the corrie. It is in this corrie that the last wolf in Scotland was hunted down and killed in the 18th century. The summit of the mountain is reached and views up the western seaboard and out to Skye dominate the west, whilst Beinn Dearg, The Horns of Alligin and Liathach are a superb contrast to the southeast.

The Horns are reached by descending steeply at first to a narrow little col, before a scramble up large fairly exposed blocks leads back to the crest of the ridge. This part of the mountain is probably the best and despite the appearance of the horns there are no real difficulties. A few short clambers over the other Horns is followed by a steep descent down sandstone blocks. After this descent we pick up a path, which eventually leads to a bridge and the main track that takes us back to our start point.