Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh, Mountain summit in Trotternish, Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh Ruaidh is a mountain summit on the Isle of Skye in the Trotternish region, rising to 593 meters above sea level with a distinctive ridge running from north to south. The peak sits within a volcanic landscape marked by steep cliffs and weathered rock faces that shape the peninsula's dramatic terrain.
The mountain formed through volcanic activity millions of years ago, which shaped the entire Trotternish region and left behind complex geological layers from multiple eruptions. This ancient volcanic past created the distinctive landscape visible today that draws hikers and geologists to the area.
The name comes from Scottish Gaelic, meaning 'Peak of the Red Fox', showing how the local language closely connects to the landscape and its wildlife. Visitors walking through the region will find many other places named after animals and natural features in the same way.
The summit can be reached via marked trails from either Uig or Portree, with relatively straightforward routes to the top. The best time to visit is from spring through autumn when weather conditions and daylight hours are more favorable for hiking.
The mountain inspired Allan Campbell McLean's novel 'The Hill of the Red Fox', which wove the peak into Scottish literary landscape. Many hikers who visit the summit are unaware of this literary connection and the way the book brought the location into popular culture.
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