With over 500 mountains to choose from, Scotland has no shortage of incredible views from mountain tops. But if you only have time to climb a few, then we can highly recommend these 5, which we’ve chosen not only for the quality of their summit views, but also for the character of the mountain as a whole.
1. Cir Mhor from Caisteal Abhail
Our first entry is an island peak, and the most southerly of this list. The Isle of Arran is often referred to as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ due the fact it features impressive mountains in the north, and rolling countryside in the south – just like Scotland itself.
The mountains of Arran are indeed spectacular, being the remains of a long extinct volcano and featuring dramatic peaks formed of beautifully rugged granite.
Right in the heart of the mountains stands Cir Mhor (The Big Comb). This finely pointed pyramid of granite divides the two biggest glens on the island, and is a magnet for the eye from all sides with it’s towering rock faces and sweeping ridges.
The finest view of this peak is not from Cir Mhor itself though, but rather from the neighbouring peak of Caisteal Abhaiil (Castle of the Fork) – which is itself a mountain of fine character. The hike to the summit is rough, steep and quite boggy in places – but once you are up high you walk among magnificent granite torrs with magnificent views on all sides. The very finest is from the summit, overlooking the spectacular north face of Cir Mhor.
2. Sgurr Fiona from Bidean a Glas Thuill (An Teallach)
An Teallach (The Forge) lies in the north west of the Highlands, on the edge of one of the largest and wildest mountainous regions in Scotland. The whole area is composed of ancient ‘Torridonian’ sandstones that date back over 1.5 billion years, making this area one of the most ancient in the Highlands.
An Teallach is widely regarded as being the finest mountain in Scotland, and actually is so expansive the the whole mountain includes several different peaks, two of which have Munro status (peaks above 3000ft).
The hike to take in both Munros is a long and very challenging one, but the finest view of all is taken from the first Munro to be reached – Bidean a Glas Thuill (Pinnacle of the Green Hollow). The ascent is long but not technically difficult. From the summit the view of the sister Munro, Sgurr Fiona (White Peak) and the neighbouring pinnacles of Corrag Buidhe (Yellow Hollow) that soar above one of the biggest and steepest cliff faces in the Highlands is nothing short of breathtaking.
3. Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin Ridge from Sgurr na Stri
For our third pick we return to the islands, this time to the fabled Isle of Skye. Skye hosts the most dramatic mountain range in Britain – The Black Cuillin. Sharp, steep, and spectacular (or scary!), the Black Cuillin are also formed from the remains of a gigantic, long extinct volcano. What makes them particularly impressive is the fact that almost all of the peaks lie in a horseshoe shape, joined by a continuous ridge line that totals over 12km in length.
Guarded within the heart of this mountain fortress lies one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland – Loch Coruisk (Cauldron of the Waters) – which is reached either by a an arduous and challenging hike, or by boat from the fishing village of Elgol.
We are lucky then, that it is one of the shorter peaks that stands in the centre of the Cuillins themselves that offers a sensational view of both Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin Ridge itself. Sgurr na Stri (Peak of Strife). The ascent is not long but is quite technical, requiring hands in one or two places. From the rocky summit the view of the Cuillins is undoubtedly one of the best in the country.
4. Garbh Coire from Braeriach
Our 4th pick takes us to the Cairngorms, and one of the highest mountain on our list. In fact Braeriach (The Brindled Mountain) is the 3rd highest summit in Britain.
Braeriach is one of the vast, sprawling peaks that dominate the heart of the Cairngorms, which as a whole constitute the greatest area of high level terrain of any mountain range in Scotland. The heart of this huge area is wild and remote, and so the Cairngorms are famous for their very long walks in and out, though the difficulty of the walking itself is not that much.
Braeriach itself is a very long walk to the summit, strenuous in places but not technical. And it is the mountain’s hidden side which offers the most superb view in the Cairngorms, overlooking the famous Garbh Coire (Rough Coire). This view is simply huge, taking in the surrounding peaks of Ben MacDui (MacDuff’s Mountain), Carn a Mhaim (Cairn of the Large Round Hill), Cairn Toul (Hill of the Barn) and Sgor an Lochan Uaine (Peak of the Green Lochan). The sense of space is simply huge.
5. Suilven and Inverpolly from Stac Pollaidh
Our final entry is also the shortest peak on the list – but definitely one of the most characterful. Stac Pollaidh stands in the Coigach area just north of Ullapool – a spectacular region that boasts some of the most iconic peaks in the country.
Not least of these in stature, though certainly in size, is Stac Pollaidh. This ‘little’ mountain stands out on the horizon, sweeping upward from the landscape and topped with a broken, rocky crest.
The ascent to the true summit is a technical scramble, but a walker can ascend most of the way easily enough, and certainly get far enough to take in the view northwards to the truly amazing peak of Suilven, rising above a vast wilderness of rocky knolls and tiny lochs – the Inverpolly Nature Reserve.
