1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Highland
  5. Inverness-shire
  6. An Cruachan

An Cruachan

Hill, Mountain in Inverness-shire

Scotland

An Cruachan

Level floor of the upper Ord glen This may well have been a loch in prehistoric times. Fed by tributary streams on all sides, it would have steadily filled with silt.
Level floor of the upper Ord glen Credit: Alan Reid

An Cruachan, located in Inverness-shire, Scotland, is a prominent hill or mountain that holds historical and geographical significance. Standing at an impressive height of 928 meters (3,045 feet), it is considered one of the highest peaks in the region.

An Cruachan is part of the Grampian Mountains, which stretch across the Scottish Highlands. Its distinct shape, with a rounded summit and steep slopes, is a characteristic feature of this mountain range. The hill is composed mainly of granite, which gives it a rugged and rocky appearance.

This mountain is not only renowned for its natural beauty but also for its historical importance. The area surrounding An Cruachan has a rich archaeological heritage, dating back thousands of years. It is believed that the mountain was an important site for ancient Picts, who left behind a number of standing stones and other relics.

For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, An Cruachan offers a challenging yet rewarding climb. The ascent can be demanding, with steep sections and loose rocks, but the breathtaking views from the summit make it all worthwhile. On a clear day, one can see the surrounding peaks, glens, and lochs, including the famous Loch Ness.

An Cruachan is a popular destination for those seeking outdoor adventures and a chance to immerse themselves in Scotland's natural wonders. With its historical significance, stunning landscapes, and challenging terrain, it is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Inverness-shire region.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

An Cruachan Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.140693/-5.8761667 or Grid Reference NG6512. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Level floor of the upper Ord glen This may well have been a loch in prehistoric times. Fed by tributary streams on all sides, it would have steadily filled with silt.
Level floor of the upper Ord glen
This may well have been a loch in prehistoric times. Fed by tributary streams on all sides, it would have steadily filled with silt.
A stream through Coill a' Ghasgain
A stream through Coill a' Ghasgain
Ord River in Coill a' Ghasgain
Ord River in Coill a' Ghasgain
The west Sleat loop road
The west Sleat loop road
Road through Gleann Meadal
Road through Gleann Meadal
A burn through the woods in Gleann Meadal
A burn through the woods in Gleann Meadal
New deer-fence in Gleann Meadal An area of cleared forest replanted.
New deer-fence in Gleann Meadal
An area of cleared forest replanted.
Forest quarry Small quarries are dug to provide material for building roads through forestry plantations. This one shows just how shallow the soil is above the bedrock, but the trees manage to grow OK.
Forest quarry
Small quarries are dug to provide material for building roads through forestry plantations. This one shows just how shallow the soil is above the bedrock, but the trees manage to grow OK.
Track in Braigh an Uird Forest This small forestry plantation has a number of open spaces such as this, and birdsong filled the air on the day of my visit. The track showed no sign of recent use.
Track in Braigh an Uird Forest
This small forestry plantation has a number of open spaces such as this, and birdsong filled the air on the day of my visit. The track showed no sign of recent use.
Open space in Braigh an Uird Forest Some felling of timber has taken place just here, opening up a view from the forest track to a pond at the source of the Allt Bealach nan Cas, and the distant mainland mountains.
Open space in Braigh an Uird Forest
Some felling of timber has taken place just here, opening up a view from the forest track to a pond at the source of the Allt Bealach nan Cas, and the distant mainland mountains.
Deer fence at the forest edge I am never quite sure whether deer fences round forests are meant to keep the deer inside or outside... there is certainly plenty of evidence of deer being on both sides of this particular fence. Unfortunately for me, my planned route meant that I had to get to the other side of the fence. When new, fences such as this are sturdy, and reasonably easy to climb. However, this one was old, with rotting wobbly posts and rusting wire, though I did manage to find a strong enough section and get over it eventually.
Deer fence at the forest edge
I am never quite sure whether deer fences round forests are meant to keep the deer inside or outside... there is certainly plenty of evidence of deer being on both sides of this particular fence. Unfortunately for me, my planned route meant that I had to get to the other side of the fence. When new, fences such as this are sturdy, and reasonably easy to climb. However, this one was old, with rotting wobbly posts and rusting wire, though I did manage to find a strong enough section and get over it eventually.
Slopes of Cruachan na Fèithe Seilich The heather and grass clad hill rises above the Braigh an Uird Forest.
Slopes of Cruachan na Fèithe Seilich
The heather and grass clad hill rises above the Braigh an Uird Forest.
Lochan below An Cruachan The lochan has no individual name, but is the most southerly of several similar lochans in the area going under the collective name of Lochan Fada.
Lochan below An Cruachan
The lochan has no individual name, but is the most southerly of several similar lochans in the area going under the collective name of Lochan Fada.
Sleat moorland The Sleat peninsula is often referred to as 'The Garden of Skye' for its woodland and gentle shoreline landscapes. However, inland is just acres and acres of undulating heather moorland dotted with lochans. Had it not been largely rain-free on Skye for several weeks, walking here would be very challenging, as the ground would be boggy in wet weather.
Sleat moorland
The Sleat peninsula is often referred to as 'The Garden of Skye' for its woodland and gentle shoreline landscapes. However, inland is just acres and acres of undulating heather moorland dotted with lochans. Had it not been largely rain-free on Skye for several weeks, walking here would be very challenging, as the ground would be boggy in wet weather.
Summit of Cruachan na Fèithe Seilich The hill is little more than part of the rounded edge of a plateau, but affords a fine view, here looking east over Braigh an Uird Forest to Eilean Iarmain, the Sound of Sleat, and the mainland mountains beyond.
Summit of Cruachan na Fèithe Seilich
The hill is little more than part of the rounded edge of a plateau, but affords a fine view, here looking east over Braigh an Uird Forest to Eilean Iarmain, the Sound of Sleat, and the mainland mountains beyond.
Cnoc Fealach nan Cas A lumpy moorland hilltop above the Braigh an Uird Forest in Sleat. Recent dry weather on Skye has made walking here pleasant, but in wetter weather, the moor would become very boggy and challenging.
Cnoc Fealach nan Cas
A lumpy moorland hilltop above the Braigh an Uird Forest in Sleat. Recent dry weather on Skye has made walking here pleasant, but in wetter weather, the moor would become very boggy and challenging.
Lochan on the moor This is the most southerly of a group of lochans in the area which go under the collective name of Lochan Fada.
Lochan on the moor
This is the most southerly of a group of lochans in the area which go under the collective name of Lochan Fada.
Moorland and lochan The moorland here would be very boggy in wet weather. Fortunately, there has been no significant rainfall for several weeks, so today, the going was relatively easy.
Moorland and lochan
The moorland here would be very boggy in wet weather. Fortunately, there has been no significant rainfall for several weeks, so today, the going was relatively easy.
Show me another place!

An Cruachan is located at Grid Ref: NG6512 (Lat: 57.140693, Lng: -5.8761667)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///sweeping.nametag.quick. Near Armadale, Highland

Nearby Locations

Lochan Dubh An Cruachan

Related Wikis

Teangue
Teangue

Teangue (Scottish Gaelic: An Teanga) is a fishing village on the Sleat peninsula, Isle of Skye, Highlands of Scotland. It is situated in Knock Bay on the...

Torabhaig distillery
Torabhaig distillery

Torabhaig distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery in Teangue on the Isle of Skye. The distillery is the second ever licensed distillery on Skye and the...

Knock Castle (Isle of Skye)
Knock Castle (Isle of Skye)

Knock Castle, also known as Caisteal Chamuis (Castle Camus) is a former stronghold of the MacDonalds. It lies on the east coast of Sleat, approximately...

Drumfearn
Drumfearn

Drumfearn (Scottish Gaelic: An Druim Fheàrna) is a small crofting township, lying at the head of the Sleat peninsula, at the head of Loch Eishort, on...

Isleornsay
Isleornsay

Isleornsay (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Iarmain) is a village lying off the main Armadale to Sleat road (the A851) on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It overlooks...

Camuscross
Camuscross

Camuscross (Scottish Gaelic: Camus Croise) is a small crofting township on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Camuscross is situated on Camus Croise bay, on...

A851 road
A851 road

The A851 road is one of the principal roads of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of mainland Scotland. It connects the ferry port...

Té Bheag
Té Bheag

Té Bheag (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈtʲʰeː ˈvek]) is a blended Scotch whisky made by Pràban na Linne Ltd in Scotland. It is one of Sir Iain Noble...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.140693,-5.8761667
An Cruachan
Ele: 248
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 57.1406519/-5.8759357
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Cnoc Damh Argyllshire
Cnoc a' Bhealaich Mhòir Argyllshire

Have you been to An Cruachan?

Leave your review of An Cruachan below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy