Lochnagar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lochnagar |
|
|---|---|
| Cac Carn Beag | |
Lochnagar corrie in winter
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,155 metres (3,789 ft) |
| Prominence | 671 metres (2,201 ft) |
| Isolation | 19.21 km (11.94 miles) |
| Parent peak | Ben Avon |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Little loch of the noisy sound |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
 Lochnagar
Location in Scotland
|
|
| Parent range | Grampian Mountains |
| OS grid | NO244861 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 44 |
Lochnagar, also known as Beinn Chìochan, is a famous mountain in Scotland. It is part of the Grampian Mountains and is located near Balmoral Castle. Many people love to visit Lochnagar for hiking and climbing, both in summer and winter.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Lochnagar comes from a Scottish Gaelic phrase, Lochan na Gaire. This means 'little loch of the noisy sound'. This name actually refers to a small lake (called a lochan) found in a bowl-shaped valley on the mountain. Today, people often call the lochan Lochnagar too.
The very top of the mountain has another Gaelic name: Cac Càrn Beag. This can mean "small cairn of faeces" (a cairn is a pile of stones). However, some experts think the word cac might be an older word meaning 'slope'. If so, the name would mean 'little cairn of the slope'.
The name Beinn Chìochan is likely the original Gaelic name for the entire mountain.
Exploring Lochnagar's Geography
Lochnagar is located on the Royal Estate of Balmoral. Its most important feature is a large, north-facing corrie. A corrie is a deep, rounded valley shaped by glaciers. Many of the mountain's smaller peaks, as well as the main summit, are found around this corrie.
This corrie is a popular spot for both summer and winter climbing. Lochnagar is a Munro, which is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) high. Hikers enjoy visiting it all year round. The most common way to climb it is from Glen Muick.
Staying Safe on the Summit
It's important to be careful when you are on the summit, especially if the weather makes it hard to see. The top of the mountain is quite flat and doesn't have many clear landmarks. There are also steep cliffs on the northern side, so always know where you are going.
Lochnagar's Climate
The very top of Lochnagar has an Alpine Tundra Climate. This means it has very cold, snowy winters and cool summers. The closest official weather station is in Braemar, about 6.6 miles (10.6 km) away.
Temperatures usually range between -6.6°C and 9.4°C throughout the year. However, it can get colder or warmer than this. January usually has the most days with frost, even though February nights can be colder. There's even a small chance of frost in July and August, about once every ten years for each month.
Nature and Protecting the Environment
Lochnagar is located inside the Cairngorms National Park. It also gives its name to the Deeside and Lochnagar National Scenic Area. This is one of 40 special areas in Scotland known for their beautiful landscapes. This scenic area covers about 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres). It includes the mountains around Lochnagar and the Deeside area to the north.
The mountain is also part of two Special Protection Areas. These areas are important because they protect birds like the dotterel and golden eagle. These birds use Lochnagar as a place to breed and raise their young.
