Recommended Map: Harveys Superwalker Skye: The Cuillin, 1:25,000 with 1:12,500 Main Ridge enlargement. 

The object is to complete a round of 59 Cuillin tops (defined by a 50' drop on all sides) within 24 hours starting from Glen Sligachan (NG 493287) or Coruisk hut (NG 487196). Rob Woodall's schedule contains a full list of the tops - see below.  Assuming a Sligachan start, the Round takes in the Red Hills from Glamaig through to Marsco, then Garbh-bheinn through to Bla Bheinn with short detours to Belig and Sgurr nan Each. It then drops almost back to sea level before crossing Sgurr Hain and Sgurr na Stri. Then it's back to sea level at Coruisk before the steep climb onto Gars-bheinn. From here the Black Cuillin Main Ridge is soloed, with a short detour out to Sgurr Sgumain. After Sgurr nan Gillean, Knight's Peak is taken in, then a neat traverse leads out to Sgurr Beag, then after Sgurr na h-Uamh a surprisingly grassy descent is made to the Glen Sligachan path, and so back to the starting point.  A detailed route description  is avaiable from Rob Woodall - see below.

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Rob Woodall's route guidance notes

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1. Convenient starting points are Glen Sligachan and the Coruisk Hut. The first completion in 1999 was Sligachan-based and this is the most convenient option, with access to a weather forecast, the road network, not to mention "The Slig" itself.

2. Ropes should not be used: the sections normally abseiled by Main Ridge parties are bypassed by scrambling routes. Intimate route knowledge is essential: recce at least the Main Ridge and Clach Glas - Blabheinn in clear dry conditions. You need to be able to do the Main Ridge in around 7 hours.

3. The "T-D Gap" is bypassed in order to take in Sgurr Sgumain; the Inaccessible Pinnacle can be scrambled, up and down the long side; Banachdich, the Basteir Tooth and Knight's Peak can also be reached by scrambling. The hardest single move is possibly on the down climb from Bidein Drum nan Ramh North Top where you need to know exactly where the holds are.

4. An important consideration in choosing a start time is the In Pinn. This is best tackled before midday: by afternoon it is liable to be busy with Munro baggers. While it is possible to scramble through roped parties, this is best avoided.  Get to the summit of Gars-bheinn at about first light and you should have the In Pinn to yourself.  

5. It is possible to solo the ridge with 2 litres of water, but it is best to have support to carry extra fluid or meet you part way. You'll need reasonable weather. Misty is OK if you've done your homework, but if its wet and windy, forget it. A good strategy is to spend a week there in late May and watch the weather forecast. Skye is well worth a week. But beware - it can be addictive...

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Schedule

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Click on the icon to view/print Rob Woodall’s 1999 schedule (excel). 

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Finishers

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This is 24 hour round without registration or rules. Why not share your experience on facebook to encourage and inspire others to have a go!

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Links and Further Information

• Detailed route description:  available from Rob Woodall - email: rhwxyz@gmail.com

• ​Long Days in The Cuillin, Rob Woodall (The Fellrunner, Autumn 2007) - includes a full history of traverses and rounds since 1911. 

• The Cuillin Round (The Fellrunner, October 2000) - report on Yiannis Tridimas's successful 2000 round. The pdf here includes additional photos plus a map and schedule.

• Scottish Hill Runners Long Distance Records - the long distance section contains a brief overview of the Cuillin Round in the context of previous Cuillin challenges. 

• Skye Ridge Mini Guide, Andy Hyslop A guide to running the ridge, overcoming the various obstacles, short cuts etc.

• The Black Cuillin, Gordon Stainforth (Constable,1994) - contains an excellent detailed route description of this section.  Out of print (2012) but route description available from Rob Woodall (see above)