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The Sustainable Stop

Munro Profile 58: Sgurr a’Choire Ghlais

Region: North-west Highlands – Glen Strathfarrar
Height: 1,083m (3,553 ft)

Sgurr a’Choire Ghlais is the highest and most prominent summit in the Strathfarrar arc, often considered its crown. Its name, “peak of the grey corrie”, evokes shadow and grandeur, fitting for its steep ridges and panoramic prominence. For campervan travellers, access is via Glen Strathfarrar’s private road (permit required), with a long and rewarding approach.

Trailhead and Parking

Primary Access Point: Inchmore Gate (permit-controlled access)
Grid Reference: NH332438 (trailhead)
Summit Grid Reference: NH258430

Capacity: Limited roadside parking; suitable for short campervans during the day
Facilities: None at the trailhead
Charges: Free, but an access permit is required
Overnight: Not permitted

Nearby Options

  • Struy: Wild parking in designated laybys
  • Beauly: Campsite with full facilities
  • Inverness: Additional amenities

Route Overview

Standard Ascent: Ridge Traverse via Carn nan Gobhar and Sgurr Fhuar-thuill
Distance: Approximately 20–24 km round trip
Elevation Gain: Around 1,200 metres
Terrain: Rocky ridges, grassy slopes, exposed summit
Time Estimate: 7 to 9 hours

Navigation Notes

  • Often climbed with the full Strathfarrar circuit
  • Summit is cairned and exposed; a map, compass, or GPS is essential
  • Weather can shift dramatically across the massif

Campervan Suitability

Day Parking

  • Inchmore Gate allows daytime campervan access with a permit
  • Struy and Beauly offer overflow options

Overnight Options

  • Beauly Campsite: Toilets, showers, electric hook-ups
  • Wild parking may be possible in designated laybys (check signage)

Fuel and Supplies

  • Beauly: Shop, café, fuel station
  • Nearest large supermarket: Inverness

Legacy Log

  • Name origin: “Sgurr a’Choire Ghlais” translates to “peak of the grey corrie”
  • Summit features: Cairn with views across Glen Strathfarrar, Loch Monar, and the northern Highlands
  • Known for: High prominence, ridge drama, and panoramic grace
  • Popular with: Legacy stewards, circuit walkers, and those seeking the Strathfarrar high point

Closing Notes

This is Munro Profile 58 in your campervan-access series. If you’ve climbed Sgurr a’Choire Ghlais or completed the Strathfarrar circuit, feel free to share your reflections. Your insights help shape the archive and support fellow travellers.

Sources Used
These sites provide far more detailed and comprehensive overviews of the walks and Munros than I could hope to cover here:

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