Am Bàthach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Am Bàthach |
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Am Bàthach seen from Ciste Dhubh, 2.5 km (1.5 miles) to the north.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 798 m (2,618 ft) |
| Prominence | 231 m (758 ft) |
| Listing | Corbett, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | The Byre |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
 Am Bàthach
Location in Scotland
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| Parent range | Northwest Highlands |
| OS grid | NH073143 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 414 |
Am Bàthach is a Scottish mountain. It is located at the top of Glen Shiel. This area is at the western end of Loch Cluanie. It is about 38 kilometers (24 miles) southeast of Kyle of Lochalsh.
About Am Bàthach Mountain
Am Bàthach stands 798 meters (2,618 feet) tall. It is a special kind of mountain called a Corbett. Corbetts are Scottish mountains between 762 and 914 meters high. Am Bàthach is surrounded by much taller mountains called Munros. Munros are mountains in Scotland over 914 meters (3,000 feet) high.
Unlike many rocky peaks in Glen Shiel, Am Bàthach has grassy slopes. People often climb it along with the nearby Munro called Ciste Dhubh. Climbing Am Bàthach first can be a drier and more interesting path. It makes for a great half-day hike on its own. Sometimes, when the weather is bad, Am Bàthach is the only mountain in the Kintail area that is clear to see.
The mountain looks a bit like a roof. It has a long ridge running from northeast to southwest. Its sides are quite steep. Its name, Am Bàthach, means "The Byre" in Gaelic. A byre is a cow shed. This name reminds us of a time when cattle were very common in the Scottish Highlands.
Mountain Shape and Location
The top ridge of Am Bàthach is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) long. The highest point is at the northern end. The southern end of the ridge is a bit lower, at 734 meters (2,408 feet). In the middle of the ridge, there is a lower point called a col. This col is 705 meters (2,313 feet) high.
The mountain's steep sides drop down into two valleys. On the west side is the An Caorann Beag valley. On the east side is the An Caorann Mòr valley. Many small streams flow down these hillsides. The southern part of Am Bàthach goes down to the A87 road. This road runs along the northern shore of Loch Cluanie. The lower slopes here have been planted with pine trees. This area is part of the Glenshiel Forest.
The northern side of the mountain goes down to a pass called Bealach a’ Chòinich. This pass is 591 meters (1,939 feet) high. Its name means "Pass of the Bog," and it can be quite wet. This pass connects Am Bàthach to two Munros: Ciste Dhubh and Aonach Meadhoin. There is also a small lochan (a small lake) in the pass.
Water from Am Bàthach flows into two burns (small rivers). These are the Allt a’ Chaorainn Bhig and the Allt a’ Chaorainn Mhòir. They flow down the valleys on the east and west sides of the hill. These burns eventually reach Loch Cluanie. From there, the water travels about 70 kilometers (43 miles) to the east coast of Scotland. It flows through Glenmoriston and Loch Ness before reaching the Moray Firth.
How to Climb Am Bàthach
There is one main way to climb Am Bàthach. This route starts from the A87 road to the south. You can also cross over Am Bàthach if you are coming down from the Munro of Ciste Dhubh.
To start the main climb, go to the car park next to the Cluanie Inn. You can find it using the grid reference NH075117. From the car park, walk east along the A87 road for about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles). Then, you will find an old path used by stalkers. This path leaves the road and goes to the right of the planted trees. It climbs up the southern ridge of the mountain all the way to the top.
The summit of Am Bàthach is a fantastic spot. From here, you can see many of the surrounding Munros in Kintail. Loch Cluanie looks beautiful to the south. You can also see the Cluanie Inn at the western end of the loch.
