Caisteal Abhail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caisteal Abhail |
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Caisteal Abhail seen from Glen Sannox
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 859 m (2,818 ft) |
| Prominence | 427 m (1,401 ft) |
| Parent peak | Goat Fell |
| Listing | Corbett, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Stronghold of the ptarmigan |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Isle of Arran, Scotland |
| OS grid | NR969444 |
| Topo map | OS Landrangers 62, 69 |
Caisteal Abhail is a cool mountain on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. It's a "Corbett," which is a Scottish mountain over 2,500 feet (762 meters) high. Caisteal Abhail is the most northern Corbett on Arran.
This mountain is part of a famous view called The Sleeping Warrior. If you look at it from the mainland, it looks like a giant sleeping person! A really special part of Caisteal Abhail is Ceum na Caillich. This Gaelic name means "Witch's Step." It's a deep, narrow gap in the mountain's eastern side. Caisteal Abhail is also the northernmost peak in a line of three Corbetts on Arran.
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What's the Top Like?
The very top of Caisteal Abhail is where four different ridges meet. Ridges are like long, narrow paths along the mountain's side. Three of these ridges go down towards the ground. The fourth ridge goes south to another mountain called Cìr Mhòr.
The summit (the highest point) has many rocky towers called tors. These are natural rock formations that stick up. If the weather is foggy, it can be tricky to figure out which rock tower is the actual highest point!
How to Climb Caisteal Abhail
Most people start their climb from North Glen Sannox. There's a car park about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) west of Sannox village on the A841 road. From here, you can reach the top by following the northern, northwestern, or eastern ridges.
The Eastern Ridge and the Witch's Step
If you choose the eastern ridge, you'll need to go through Ceum na Caillich, the "Witch's Step." This part is a bit of a tricky scramble, meaning you might need to use your hands to climb over rocks. It's not easy to go around this section.
You can also get to Ceum na Caillich and the eastern ridge from Sannox village. This route goes through Glen Sannox.
Other Climbing Routes
The northwestern ridge can be climbed using a longer path. This path follows Gleann Easan Biorach from Lochranza. Many climbers like to combine climbing Caisteal Abhail with climbing Cìr Mhòr. Sometimes, they even climb other Arran peaks on the same trip!
