The Five Sisters - Kintail - Scotland - The Five Sisters - Kintail - Scotland - The Five Sisters - Kintail - Scotland - The Five Sisters - Kintail - Scotland - The Five Sisters - Kintail - Scotland -

Assessment: the classic West Highland ridge walk. Seasonal notes: a lengthy, but exceptional, winter traverse for those competent on snow.

Sgurr nan Spainteach* (990 m, 3,247 ft) Skoor nan Spahn-tyach, Peak of the Spaniards

Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe (1,027 m, 3,369 ft) Skoor na Keesh tya Dooya, Peak of the Black Chest or Coffin

Sgurr na Carnach (1,002 m, 3,287 ft) Skoor na Carnach, Peak of the Stony Place

Sgurr Fhuaran (1,068 m, 3,503 ft) Skoor Qo ran, Peak of the Spring

Sgurr nan Saighead (929 m, 3,047 ft) Skoor nan Sigh-at, Peak of the Arrows

Sgurr na Mbraich (876 m, 2,873 ft) Skoor na Mawrich, Peak of Morvich (ie sea-plain)

Bealach an Lapain* Bayalach an Lab pin, The Easy Pass (poss)

Coire Domdain* (should be Domhain) Corra Doe-in, Deep Corrie

Gleann Lichd Glen Licht, Slabby Glen (from Gaelic Leac)

The mountains bordering the north side of Glen Shiel are fine-looking hills with a more complex topography than on the south side, and to appreciate their separate characters to the full four routes (routes 42-5) are recommended. The most westerly group of mountains is known as the Five Sisters of Kintail. The view of them from the Glenelg road across Loch Duich is one of the most famous in the Western Highlands, their grassy southern slopes falling steeply into Glen Shiel at an average angle of more than 30t giving an impression of tremendous height. According to legend there were originally seven sisters, daughters of a local farmer. Two were taken as brides by visiting brothers, who promised to send back their five other brothers for the remaining five sisters. But no one came, and to preserve their beauty while they waited, the sisters agreed to let the local wizard transform them into the peaks whose beauty has bewitched travellers ever since. Without transport at both ends the traverse of the Five Sisters is best approached from the north. Begin at Morvich Outdoor Centre in Strath Croe, reached by a minor road that leaves the A87 at the head of Loch Duich. Take the Land Rover track that branches right along the narrow confines of Gleann Lichd, and becomes a path continuing past Glenlicht House to the foot of Coire Domdain. From here climb directly up to the Bealach an Lapain and turn right to ascend the narrow grassy east ridge of Sgurr nan Spainteach. The route onwards is a magnificent high-level walk along the main ridge of the Five Sisters around the head of wild Coire Domdain, firstly reaching Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe (note the curious hollow on the intervening bealach, which may be confusing in mist), then turning north and broadening over the stony top of Sgurr na Carnach to the steep summit slopes of Sgurr Fhuaran, the highest peak of the group. From here go down the north-west ridge a short distance, to avoid steep ground, then cut back right to continue along the main ridge around impressive slabs to the summit pyramid of Sgurr nan Saighead. Still to come is the most interesting section of the route, a narrow crest that leads enjoyably to the north-west top of Sgurr nan Siaghead, beyond which broader slopes lead onward to Sgurr na Moraich, the fifth and lowest sister, with magnificent views over Loch Duich. The day ends with a steep descent back to Morvich.