Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg

One of three mountains (the other two being Aonach Meadhoin and Saileag) which form a ridge on the north side of Glen Shiel which is the eastward continuation of the Five Sisters of Kintail and is sometimes called the North Glen Shiel Ridge. Aonach Meadhoin and its slightly lower top Sgurr an Fhuarail are at the east end of this group, and from them a narrow ridge drops to a col at about 820 metres. Beyond there the ridge rises to Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg, whose summit is a short distance along the narrow north-east spur. 1½ kilometres further west, Saileag is a rather modest hill with a rise of less than 100 metres, and beyond it a grassy ridge drops to the Bealach an Lapain. Along the southern sides of these hills steep grassy slopes drop to the forests in Glen Shiel, but on their north sides, particularly to the north of Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg, there are some wild rocky corries.

The traverse of the three hills may be started from the A87 road in Glen Shiel 2 kilometres west of Cluanie Inn. Go north into Coire na Cadha and climb the steep south ridge of Aonach Meadhoin. Descend west along a narrow ridge and climb to the level crest which might appear in misty conditions to be the top of Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg. The summit cairn, however, is about 70 metres along the narrow north-east spur. Continue to Saileag and down a broad grassy ridge to the Bealach an Lapain, from where a path leads steeply down to the A87 road 6 kilometres from the starting point.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)