Glamaig (Sept)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.




Distance 12km (7½ miles)
Total ascent 1300m
Time 5½ hours
Start / Finish NG486298
Nearest town Broadford
Terrain the path is boggy in places though easy enough up the shoulder to Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach, but from there on this route is characterised by very steep scree slopes.

Accommodation Sligachan Hotel at start has rooms and camping www.sligachan.co.uk (01478) 650204; Glenbrittle Campsite 5 miles away on west coast www.dunvegancastle.com (01470) 521206; Glenbrittle YH www.syha.org.uk (01478) 640278; Old Inn at Carbost has rooms and a bunkhouse www.theoldinnskye.co.uk (01478) 640205; hotels and B&Bs in Broadford 
Public transport buses to Sligachan from Armadale, Portree and the Skye Bridge www.rapsons.com, Traveline 0871 200 2233
Guidebook Scotland’s Best Small Mountains by K Shirra, pb Cicerone
Tourist info Broadford TIC 0845 225 5121 
Glamaig and its neighbours form the Red Hills, or Red Cuillin, of Skye with Beinn Dearg Mhor and Beinn Dearg Mheadonach literally meaning ‘big red hill’ and ‘middle red hill’. So named because their granite slopes look red in certain lights, they are smaller and more rounded than their darker Black Cuillin neighbours. That isn’t to say they aren’t challenging,though. Composed almost entirely of scree and with some fine ridges, they definitely offer an exhilarating day out, and that’s without taking part in the famous hill race.In 1899 when a Gurkha visiting Skye with a climbing party decided to run up and down Glamaig, littlecould he have imagined that he would have inspired a hill race almost a century later. Harkabir Thapa ran to the top of Sgurr Mhairi (Glamaig’s highest peak) and back from the Sligachan bar in 75 minutes. The local landowner at the time – Macleod of Macleod – couldn’t believe it, so Harkabir Thapa did it again, this time apparently in 55 minutes, with some reports claiming he did it with bare feet!In 1987, the indefatigable Gurkha’s run inspired the start of what is now an annual hill race up Glamaig.

Hill runners gather from all over in July to race up and down the deathdefying scree slopes. The record currently stands at 44 min and 27 sec set by Finlay Wild in 2012. It seems likely he wore shoes. But it’s a route worth taking your time over. With its distinctive conical peak and its great vantage point in Glen Sligachan, Glamaig is arguably 
the best viewpoint on Skye.

NG486298 Start at the Sligachan Hotel by the old bridge and take the path on the left bank of the River Sligachan signed to Loch Coruisk and Glenbrittle. This soon splits and you take the left fork to walk up the right bank of the Allt Daraich. Leave this good path after 200m then pass through a gate and stay with the Allt Daraich.

NG487296 A smaller path takes you into boggier ground and through a further gate, following a line of old fence posts. When the line of these posts bends to follow the river, head east-south-east. A small but very visible path runs from here up the end of the shoulder of Druim na Ruaige. A short, steep climb brings you to the little point at 428m at the north-west end of the shoulder. 

NG506278 From here the going is gentler as you ascend the broad, grassy shoulder with the twin peaks of Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach and Beinn Dearg Mhor ahead. The last section of the shoulder up to Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach is via steeper scree but the zigzags of the path make the going easier.

NG515271 At the summit of Beinn Dearg Mheadhonach (651m) there are fantastic views of Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir at the end of the Cuillin ridge. From the summit follow the ridge down to the Bealach Mosgaraidh before a longer, steeper ascent to the narrow top of Beinn Dearg Mhor (731m). Again, the zigzags of the path on smaller scree make this easier. From this airy position, the hillside drops straight to the sea at Loch Ainort.

NG520285 The descent from Beinn Dearg Mhor starts gently, heading north. You then turn north-west to drop down to the Bealach na Sgairde. This is very steep across quite large scree, requiring great care to be taken.

NG518293 From the Bealach na Sgairde, which appropriately means ‘scree pass’, it is almost 300m of ascent up more scree slopes to reach the summit of Sgurr Mhairi, Glamaig’s highest peak.

NG513300 From the summit, you could try the scree slope 
right back to the Sligachan; but the less death-defying route is to retrace your steps to the Bealach na Sgairde then down the side of the burn. Contour round the hillside on one of the small deer paths to gain the spur to the left of the burn. This makes for the easiest walking and you can follow it down until the burn joins the Allt Daraich.
NG505292 At this point cross the Allt Daraich and follow its left bank back to the start, passing some very tempting pools on the way