01/09/2026
234. Sgùrr a’ Mhadaidh - Another unreal day up the Cuillin and knowing when to call it a day⛰️
After bagging Am Basteir the day before and hiking up the Old Man of Storr for sunset… it’s safe to say me and Alfie were a little bit tired when we woke up, which made for a slightly later start. It also kept us away from the worst of the midges that were out in force early on, so it worked out quite well for us.
I had a route of 2 Munros in mind but the goal for the day was to simply see how far we could get, like with all the Munros in the Cuillins, I try and set no expectation of reaching the top with Alfie. The scrambling can be pretty full on and sometimes impossible for dogs without extra help.
The walk into the scree slope before the final pull up followed a stream that was full of waterfalls and crystal clear pools… eyed up a few spots for a swim on the way back. We then took a bypass up Sgùrr a’ Mhadaidh (instead of going from An Dorus) and that was quickly found, although the scrambling and exposure was still pretty full on.
2 hours after setting off we made it to the top, the summit here is tiny and falls away at the other side but the views down Loch Coruisk and the rest of the ridge were unbelievable. We then made our way towards An Dorus for me to scout out the scramble up to Sgùrr a Ghreadaidh… and this is where I called it a day.
There was simply no safe way I was getting Alfie up there and I didn’t even consider attempting it, one mistake and it would be game over. The scramble is essentially a flat rock wall with small ledges and holds, even if I had people there with me to lift Alfie up to (which would’ve been a mission in itself), getting him back down from there would’ve been impossible without belaying him down in some way. The Munros aren’t going anywhere and I’ll get that remaining one done myself another time!
We took our time heading down, went for a cold dip and sat for some time taking in the last of the views. Another absolutely class day out with my boy. 48 to go!!⛰️
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