Liathach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Lèith
Liathach
Highest point
Elevation	1,055 m (3,461 ft)
Prominence	957 m (3,140 ft)  Ranked 8th in British Isles
Parent peak	Càrn Eige
Listing	Marilyn, Munro
Naming
English translation	Peak of the Grey Corries
Language of name	Gaelic
Geography
Location	Torridon, Scotland
Parent range	Northwest Highlands
OS grid	NG929579
Topo map	OS Landranger 25

Liathach seen from Beinn Eighe. With the Munro top of Stùc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig (915 metres) in the foreground and the two Munro summits in the background.

Liathach is a famous mountain in the Torridon Hills of Scotland. It's known for its rugged beauty and challenging climbs. Standing tall at 1055 meters (3,461 feet), Liathach is one of Scotland's special mountains called a Munro. A Munro is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) high. Liathach also has two main peaks that are Munros: Spidean a' Choire Lèith and Mullach an Rathain. Its name, Liathach, comes from Gaelic and means 'The grey one'. When you look at it from the road, it seems to have many steep, rocky steps.

What is Liathach Made Of?

The Story of Ancient Rocks

Liathach is made of a type of rock called Torridonian sandstone. This sandstone forms huge, flat layers that create the many terraces you can see from far away. The rocks are mostly red and chocolate-colored sandstones. They also include other types like arkoses and shales.

Fossils and Distinctive Peaks

Some of these rocks contain coarse conglomerates. These materials came from older rocks found deep below. Some peaks, like nearby Beinn Eighe, have white quartzite caps. This gives them a very unique look. Some quartzite even has fossilized worm burrows, which are about 500 million years old! The landscape around Liathach has been shaped by glaciers and rivers over millions of years.

Conquering the Liathach Ridge

The Challenging Am Fasarinen

Climbing across the main ridge of Liathach, which includes both Munro peaks, is a tough adventure. The ridge between the peaks has many rocky points. These are known as Am Fasarinen, which means The Teeth. This part of the ridge reaches 927 meters high.

Navigating the Ridge Safely

Once you start across the ridge, there are not many places to climb down. This means you usually have to finish the whole walk. However, there is a narrow path that goes along the south side of the ridge. This path helps you avoid the trickiest parts of The Teeth. Be careful though, as this path is very exposed. It also has some worn-out spots where it crosses steep gullies. In winter, climbing Liathach becomes even more serious and requires special skills.

Exploring Liathach's "Tops"

Understanding Munro Tops

Besides the two main Munro peaks, Liathach has four other peaks called "Munro Tops." These are smaller peaks that are part of the mountain but are not quite tall enough to be full Munros. One of these is Meall Dearg, which is 955 meters (3,133 feet) high. It sits off the main ridge.

The Northern Pinnacles Challenge

Meall Dearg is found at the end of the Northern Pinnacles. These are a series of rocky climbs that extend north from Mullach an Rathain. Climbing along the Northern Pinnacles is considered a rock climb. Another way to reach Meall Dearg involves a short, steep scramble near the top. A famous climber, Irvine Butterfield, once said that Meall Dearg is "The most difficult top in the British Isles." The Northern Pinnacles were first climbed in 1894.

Routes for Climbing Liathach

Finding Your Way Up

There are not many easy paths to climb up or down Liathach. However, there are routes to each of the two Munro summits. These paths often follow small streams, leading to a steep climb or descent from the ridge. The western end of Liathach, past Mullach an Rathain, slopes down more gently towards sea level.