Beinn a' Ghlò facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beinn a’ Ghlò |
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Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (left) and Càrn nan Gabhar (right) seen from Càrn Liath
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,121.9 m (3,681 ft) |
| Prominence | 658 m (2,159 ft) |
| Parent peak | Lochnagar |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Hill of the Veil or Mist |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | English approximation: bayn-Ə-khlaw |
| Geography | |
 Beinn a’ Ghlò
Location in Scotland
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| Parent range | Grampians |
| OS grid | NN970732 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 43, OS Explorer 394 |
Beinn a’ Ghlò is a huge Scottish mountain. It is found in the Cairngorms National Park, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of Blair Atholl. This mountain is known for its many ridges, peaks, and deep valleys called corries. It covers a large area of about 40 square kilometers (15 square miles).
Beinn a’ Ghlò is special because it has three different peaks that are classified as Munros. A Munro is a Scottish mountain over 914.4 meters (3,000 feet) high. The three Munros on Beinn a’ Ghlò are:
- Càrn Liath (meaning "Grey Cairn") at 976 meters (3,202 feet).
- Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (meaning "Brow of the Corrie of Round Blisters") at 1,070 meters (3,510 feet).
- Càrn nan Gabhar (meaning "Hill of the Goats") at 1,121.9 meters (3,681 feet).
The mountain has patches of grey loose rocks called scree. You can also see lots of grass and heather growing on its lower slopes. When the heather blooms in summer, it makes the mountain look very colorful!
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Amazing Plants and Wildlife
Beinn a’ Ghlò is home to many different kinds of plants. Because of this, a large area of 80 square kilometers (31 square miles) has been made a SSSI and a SAC. These are special titles that help protect the area's unique nature.
This mountain has areas of "European dry heaths." You can find many alpine plants here, which are plants that grow in high, cold places. Some rare plants include the yellow oxytropis and mountain avens.
Exploring Beinn a’ Ghlò
If you are driving north on the A9 road near Killiecrankie, you might see Beinn a’ Ghlò. However, you will only see Càrn Liath. The other, taller parts of the mountain are hidden behind it. The highest Munro, Càrn nan Gabhar, is more than 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Blair Atholl. Climbing all three Munros usually takes a whole day!
Beinn a’ Ghlò has nineteen corries, which are bowl-shaped valleys. There is a legend that says if you fire a rifle in one corrie, you cannot hear it in any of the others.
Queen Victoria visited the mountain in 1844. She drove up Glen Tilt and said, "We came upon a lovely view — Beinn a’ Ghlò straight before us — and under these high hills the River Tilt gushing and winding over stones and slates … and the air so pure and fine but no description can do it justice."
Climbing the Mountain
There are two main ways to start climbing Beinn a’ Ghlò. One popular starting point is at Loch Moraig, about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Blair Atholl. Another option is Marble Lodge in Glen Tilt. However, you need special permission from the Atholl Estate to drive on the private road to Marble Lodge.
From Loch Moraig, you follow a path to the base of the mountain. The climb to the first Munro, Càrn Liath, is quite steep. Near the top, you will walk through white granite scree.
The path then goes down to a dip in the ground at 760 meters (2,493 feet). From there, you climb Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain. This peak offers a great view down into Glen Tilt. After that, you turn east to reach Càrn nan Gabhar.
To return to Loch Moraig, you can take a different path. This path goes over Airgiod Bheinn (meaning "Silver Mountain"), which is 1,061 meters (3,481 feet) high. This way, you do not have to climb the first two Munros again.
Amazing Views
Both Càrn Liath and Càrn nan Gabhar offer excellent views. Càrn nan Gabhar's highest point is a cairn (a pile of stones) about 200 meters (656 feet) northeast of its trig point. This cairn is about 2 meters (6.5 feet) higher than the trig point.
From Càrn nan Gabhar, you can see a wide panorama. This includes the Cairngorms mountains and the hills of Glen Shee. You also get a great view down into Glen Loch. From Càrn Liath, you can look out over Blair Atholl towards the Scottish Lowlands.
Images for kids
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Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (left) and Càrn nan Gabhar (right) seen from Càrn Liath
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Càrn Liath from Airgiod Bheinn
