Tom na Gruagaich

Tom na Gruagaich is the summit plateau of Beinn Alligin (922 m), the most westerly of the Torridon Munros in Scotland. On a clear day the summit panorama is outstanding: Sgurr Mhor (with its huge Eag Dhubh cleft), the vertigo-inducing Horns of Alligin, the mighty Beinn Eighe and much of the wider Torridon range. The 880 m launch has an unusually wide wind window — NE, E, SE, S, SW and W — thanks to the flat summit plateau. Landing is possible anywhere on the lower slopes or in the general vicinity of the car park. This is remote, committed highland flying: pilots without hillwalking fitness and current highland conditions knowledge should treat the approach with respect.

Launch & conditions

The flat summit plateau allows launches facing anywhere from west through south to south-east. Pick a spot around the plateau edge that matches the day's flow — the generous wind window is the site's real strength.

Getting there & local rules

From the car park beside the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nòbuil, cross the road and follow a good path up the west side of the stream. The path crosses the deer fence at a stile and continues up the hillside to where the stream issues from Coire nan Laogh. There the path zig-zags up the east side of the stream before steepening for a final climb up onto the flat summit plateau. Beinn Alligin sits at the seaward end of Glen Torridon, on the single-track road along the north coast of Upper Loch Torridon to Diabaig. Parking is 3 miles after the turn-off from the A896, immediately after a bridge over the river between Beinn Alligin and Liathach.

Local rules & hazards

Tom na Gruagaich is in the Highland Restricted Area — midweek flying is subject to strict restrictions that pilots must review before travelling.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Tom na Gruagaich, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Tom na Gruagaich with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.