
Sgorr Dhonuill, Beinn a' Bheithir
Munro peak on Beinn a' Bheithir, the Ballachuilish Horseshoe
Beinn a' Bheithir dominates the view above Ballachuilish and is a complex mountain with several ridges, coires and summits. Sgorr Dhonuill is the western Munro peak on this mountain.Sgorr Dhonuill

Map base ©OpenStreetMap
Height | 1001m |
Prominence | 244m |
Meaning | Donald's peak |
Lists | Munro, 136 |
Location | Appin, Glen Orchy to Loch Linnhie |
Grid Ref | NN057558 |
Lat/Lon | 56.65051, -5.19877 |
Sgorr Dhonuill is the western Munro summit on Beinn a' Bheithir, the complex mountain encircling Gleann a'Chaolais just south of Ballachulish. Due to it's shape, Beinn a'Bheithir is often referred to as the 'Ballachulish Horseshoe'.
Sgorr Dhonhuill's summit overlooks Beinn a' Bheithir's northern coires. There are four crests heading out from Sgorr Dhonhuill's summit. Two spurs, a short one and a longer one, head northwards dividing the slopes into Coire Dearg and Coire Sgreamhach -neither is a hillwalking route ! The eastern spur is a rocky affair and connects to Sgorr Dhearg, the other Munro summit, and highest peak, on Beinn a'Bheither. This is possibly the most used route to gain Sgorr Dhonuill's peak. The western crest is wide and grass covered, leading to the top of Coire Dearg, from where a fine scree-run can be enjoyed on descent.
The bealach between Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dearg is at 744m and with a distance of under 2km between these Munro summits, most hillwalkers will bag both peaks in one outing.
Routes up Sgorr Dhonuill
Beinn a' Bheithir from Ballachulish | |
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On forestry tracks lower down with grass covered terrain and boulderfield higher up, this is a fine there-and-back route up Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill - the two Munro summits on Beinn a' Bheithir. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1300m (4270ft) Distance : 12km (7m) Time : 5:10hr |
Beinn a' Bheithir via Schoolhouse Ridge | |
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An easy rock-scrambling route aiming up up 'Schoolhouse Ridge' on Beinn a' Bheithir's narrow eastern shoulder. Taking in the Munro summits of Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill, there are options including a fast descent on scree in Sgorr Dhonuill's northern coires. Peaks : 2 Munros, 1 Munro Top
Ascent : 1350m (4430ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 5:45hr |
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