Quinag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quinag |
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| Scottish Gaelic: A’ Chuineag | |
Quinag in the distance from the western end of Loch Assynt
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | Sàil Gharbh: 808 m (2,651 ft) Sàil Ghorm: 776 m (2,546 ft) Spidean Coinich: 764 m (2,506 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 553 m, 158 m, 192 m |
| Listing | Corbett, Marilyn (both x3) |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Little milk pail |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | KUUN-yag |
| Geography | |
| Location | Assynt, Scotland |
| Range coordinates | 58°12′54″N 5°03′02″W / 58.21506°N 5.05053°W |
| OS grid | NC209292 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 15 |
Quinag (pronounced KUUN-yag) is a cool mountain in the Scottish Highlands, found in a place called Sutherland. It's 808 meters (about 2,651 feet) tall at its highest point! Quinag isn't just one peak; it's a whole range with several wavy tops that look a bit like the letter 'Y' from above. Its name comes from the Gaelic word Cuinneag, which means 'milk pail'. Can you see how its shape might remind people of that?
How Quinag Was Made: Rocks and Layers
Quinag is super interesting if you like rocks! This mountain is mostly made of a type of rock called Torridonian sandstone. Think of it like giant layers of sand that got squished and hardened over millions of years.
Underneath this sandstone, there's an even older rock called Lewisian gneiss. This is one of the oldest rocks on Earth, formed deep inside the planet. On top of the highest parts of Quinag, you can find a thin layer of Cambrian quartzite. This rock is super hard and shiny, like a very tough type of sand.
So, Quinag is like a giant sandwich of three amazing rock types. You can clearly see how these different layers sit on top of each other, telling a long story about Earth's past!
Climbing Quinag: The Three Peaks
Quinag is special because it has three main peaks, and all of them are known as Corbetts. A Corbett is a Scottish mountain that is between 762 meters (2,500 feet) and 914 meters (3,000 feet) tall.
The three peaks of Quinag are:
- Sàil Ghorm (pronounced SAHL GHOR-um): This means 'Blue Heel' and is 776 meters (2,546 feet) high.
- Sàil Gharbh (pronounced SAHL GAR-uv): This means 'Rough Heel' and is the tallest at 808 meters (2,651 feet).
- Spidean Coinich (pronounced SPEET-yan KOYN-ich): This means 'Mossy Peak' and is 764 meters (2,506 feet) high.
When you look at Quinag from the north, especially from the road near the Kylesku Bridge, it looks really impressive! The two big peaks, Sàil Gharbh and Sàil Ghorm, stand out against the sky. Quinag also forms a beautiful background for Loch Assynt, a nearby lake. If you're coming from the village of Lochinver, the mountain range seems to stretch on forever.
For people who like to hike, the easiest way to climb Quinag is usually by following the broad ridge that goes up the south-east side of Spidean Coinich. It's a great adventure!
Protecting Quinag: Nature and Woodlands
In 2005, a group called the John Muir Trust bought the Quinag estate. This means they now help look after this amazing area. The John Muir Trust works to protect wild places in the UK, so Quinag is in good hands! Quinag and another estate nearby, Glencanisp, share ownership of Loch Assynt.
You can find some really old trees scattered around the northern side of Quinag. These are the last parts of what used to be a huge ancient forest. You might spot trees like birch, rowan, hazel, wych elm, aspen, and oak. They often grow in sheltered spots, like deep valleys or near the seashore, where they are protected from the strong winds. These woodlands are very important for local wildlife.
