A ROCKY peak has lost its status as a Munro Top after surveyors discovered it was shorter than previously thought.

Knight's Peak in the ­Cuillin hills on Skye was thought to be almost 3002ft, slightly above the 3000ft requirement to qualify as a Munro Top.

However, a recent survey discovered it was just under 3000ft, so it has lost its status.

Munros are mountains higher than 3000ft while the Tops are summits over that height not regarded as a separate mountain. Knight's Peak is a subsidiary of Sgurr nan Gillian.

They are named after Sir Hugh Munro who, in 1891, was asked by the Scottish Mountaineering Club's Journal editor to list all the hills in Scotland above 3000ft.

Alistair Milner, height co-ordinator for the Munro Society, said they wanted to ensure the accuracy of the records by continuing to survey mountains. He said: "We have to respect Sir Hugh Munro's list. We believe he was a real stickler for accuracy, so we are just carrying on where he left really."

Mr Milner did not think the reclassification will have much impact on mountaineers. He said: "I think rock climbers will still want to do the pinnacle ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean, though one or two might not go to it."