Torridon Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torridon Hills |
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The Torridon hills, viewed from the Shieldaig peninsula.
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 Location in Highland
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| Location | Northwest Highlands, Scotland, UK |
| OS grid | NG895565 |
| Coordinates | 57°32′56″N 5°31′12″W / 57.549°N 5.520°W |
The Torridon Hills are a group of amazing mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. They are found near the village of Torridon. These mountains are known for being some of the most dramatic and beautiful peaks in the British Isles.
What makes them special is that they are made of some of the oldest rocks on Earth! Many of these mountains are also very tall, reaching over 3,000 feet (914 meters) high. Mountains this tall in Scotland are called Munros.
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Scotland's Ancient Giants: The Torridon Hills
The Torridon Hills are truly unique. They stand out from each other, often looking like giant castles. They have very steep sides that look like steps or terraces. Their tops are often broken and jagged, with many sharp points called pinnacles.
These mountains are popular with people who love the outdoors. Many enjoy hillwalking (long walks in the hills) and mountaineering (climbing mountains). The rocky ridges at the top are great for "scrambling," which is a mix of walking and easy climbing. But be careful! Once you start on a ridge, it's often hard to turn back. You usually have to finish the whole path before you can go down.
Rocks That Tell a Story: How the Hills Formed
The Torridon Hills are mostly made of a special kind of sandstone. It's called Torridonian sandstone. Over millions of years, wind, rain, and ice have shaped this rock into the unique mountains we see today.
This sandstone is very old, dating back to a time called the Precambrian era. This means it formed before most life appeared on Earth! It sits on even older rocks, known as Lewisian gneiss. These are some of the oldest rocks found anywhere in Britain.
Some of the highest peaks, like Beinn Eighe, have white caps. These are made of a different rock called Cambrian quartzite. This quartzite formed about 500 million years ago. Some of it even has fossils of ancient worm burrows, which is why it's sometimes called "pipe rock."
The layers of rock in these mountains are mostly flat. This is why they have those distinctive step-like terraces on their sides. Many steep channels, called gullies, run down these terraced slopes from the peaks.
Exploring the Main Peaks of Torridon
While many mountains in the Northwest Highlands share the same type of rock, the "Torridon Hills" usually refers to a specific group. These are the ones found north of Glen Torridon, in an area known as the Torridon Forest.
Here are some of the most famous peaks in this main group:
There are also other beautiful hills between Glen Torridon and Strath Carron. They share many features with the main Torridon Hills, even if they are a bit less dramatic. These include:
The scenery in the Torridon Hills is truly amazing. Many people think it's some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the British Isles. Perhaps only the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye are even grander!
Images for kids
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A view during a descent from Beinn Eighe.
