Beinn a' Chaisteil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beinn a' Chaisteil |
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The steep western face seen from Beinn Odhar 3 km to the SW.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 886 m (2,907 ft) |
| Prominence | 467 m (1,532 ft) |
| Listing | Corbett, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Mountain of the Castle |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
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| Parent range | Grampians |
| OS grid | NN347364 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 50, OS Explorer 377 |
Beinn a' Chaisteil is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands. It is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) north of Tyndrum, Scotland. This mountain sits on the border of two areas: Perth and Kinross and Argyll and Bute. There is another mountain with the same name, so don't get them mixed up!
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About Beinn a' Chaisteil
Beinn a' Chaisteil stands 886 meters (2,907 feet) tall. This makes it a Corbett, which is a Scottish mountain between 762 and 914 meters high. It is also a Marilyn, a hill with a drop of at least 150 meters on all sides.
You can see the mountain well from the A82 road near Auch. Its western side looks like a huge wall. The West Highland Railway passes by the mountain's base. It loops dramatically over the Auch Glen and Glen Coralan on two bridges.
Many people climb Beinn a' Chaisteil along with a nearby mountain called Beinn nam Fuaran. These two mountains are connected by a low pass. Some experienced hikers try to climb five mountains in the "Auch Corbetts" area. This long walk is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) and includes a lot of climbing.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name "Beinn a' Chaisteil" comes from the Scottish Gaelic language. It means "Mountain of the Castle." This name fits because the mountain's western slopes are very steep and rocky, like a fortress.
An older spelling, "Ben Achastle," shows that the name has been around for a long time. Some people think the name might also come from a real fort. A book from 1913 mentions that a circular fort once stood on one of the mountain's spurs. This fort is now gone due to landslides.
Mountain Features
Beinn a' Chaisteil has two main ridges, which make it look a bit like an "L" shape. The southeast ridge goes for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). It connects to another Corbett mountain called Cam Chreag. This ridge has steep cliffs on its western side.
The northeast ridge is wider. It runs for about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) to a pass called Mam Lorn. This pass connects Beinn a' Chaisteil to Beinn nam Fuaran.
The western cliffs of Beinn a' Chaisteil are popular for ice climbing in winter. Climbers have been tackling these icy routes for over a hundred years. Some routes are quite challenging.
The mountain is part of Scotland's main watershed. This means that rain falling on one side flows to the west coast. Water from the other side flows to the east coast.
Beinn a' Chaisteil in Poetry
Beinn a' Chaisteil is even mentioned in poetry! Duncan Ban MacIntyre was a famous Scottish Gaelic poet. He lived near the mountain for part of his life. He wrote about the mountain in his poem, "Song to The Gun Named Nic Coiseim" (Nic Coiseim's Gun).
The poem says:
- I took thee to Ben Chaisteil,
- and to the moor adjoining it,
- the Mam and Creag an Aprain,
- on the flank of Ben nam Fuaran.
How to Climb Beinn a' Chaisteil
The most common place to start climbing Beinn a' Chaisteil is from Auch, near the A82 road. However, parking there is very limited. Many guidebooks suggest parking at a car park further up the glen. From there, you can walk along the West Highland Way trail to Auch.
You can climb Beinn a' Chaisteil directly from the Auch Glen. This is a very steep climb on grassy slopes. There are some rocky parts higher up, but you can usually go around them.
A less difficult way is to walk up the Auch Glen for about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles). You will reach an old burial ground. From there, you can climb southeast to the pass between Beinn a' Chaisteil and Beinn nam Fuaran. You can then climb both mountains.
As mentioned, Beinn a' Chaisteil is often climbed as part of a longer hike. This hike includes five "Auch Corbetts." It is usually the last mountain climbed on this route.
