Red Cuillin, Isle of Skye
★★★★
Glorious bog characterises the middle section of this ascent: two kilometres of negotiating soggy paths may leave you wondering why you decided on this foray into the Red Hills from Sligachan. But a trip to the top of Marsco (Seagull Hill in Norse) is worth it just for the final few minutes. The summit’s unlikely position on a narrow ridge with steep slopes dropping hundreds of metres on either side makes it difficult to pause for long – a shelter cairn sits on welcome broader slopes just beyond. From here, the views of the Cuillin Ridge are as stunning as a glance at a map at home promises them to be. Taking the ridge, views and underfoot conditions into account, not one for a wet, windy or foggy day. Whoops.
Chronological photo guide
Location
O.S. Grid Reference: NG 488299
GPS coordinates: 57.290426,-6.170954
Bus to Sligachan
Car park
Key info
14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 740 m |
5-6 hr
Features:
⬤ Tough | Good path in Glen Sligachan followed by an intermittently very boggy one by the Allt na Measarroch. Fainter, generally drier path beyond, following fence posts to summit ridge. Final grassy ridge straightforward but very narrow.
Out-and-back walk: start & Sligachan viewpoint – Allt na Measarroch – Mam a’ Phobuill – southeast ridge of Coire nan Laogh – Marsco – return by outward route
On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep; some midges on return to the main glen once the wind dropped.
Weather: Gusty wind progressively dropping, and nearly windless at summit. Cool and overcast with rare bright spells, but hill fog above about 600m only cleared on return to the glen.
August 2015
