Mullach nan Coirean
| Mullach nan Coirean | |||
| Inverness-shire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Mullach nan Coirean seen from Stob Bàn across Coire Dearg. | |||
| Range: | Mamores | ||
| Summit: | 3,081 feet NN122662 | ||
Mullach nan Coirean is a mountain in the Mamores group of Inverness-shire, which reaches a height of 3,081 feet at its summit, and so it qualifies as a Munro.
The mountain is five miles north-west of Kinlochleven. It is the most westerly of the ten Munros in the Mamores and it is connected to the adjoining mountain of Stob Bàn by a col with a height of 2,776 feet; these two Munros are often climbed together from Glen Nevis.[1] The mountain's name translates from the Gaelic as Summit of the Corries[2] or Top of the Corries[3] and this is quite fitting as Mullach nan Coirean has four corries on its slopes. Mullach can also mean a "roof" [1]. However it is unusual that the name does not include reference to the mountains distinct red tinge cause by its red granite rock.
The name of the mountain means "Summit of the Corries".
Landscape
Mullach nan Coirean stands in stark contrast to the adjoining Stob Bàn, which is a pointed and light coloured peak, owing to its crown of quartzite. Mullach nan Coirean differs, being a large, sprawling mountain of ridges and corries with its granite rock giving the mountain a definite red shade.
There is a secondary summit, the South East Top at NN131654, reaching 3008 feet and thus qualifying as a Munro Top. The South East Top was previously called "Coire Dearg Top" but this was changed to avoid confusion as the main summit also overlooks Coire Dearg.
Mullach nan Coirean has three north facing corries: the finest of these is Coire Dearg ("Red Corrie") which is drained by the Allt a' Choire Dheirg into Glen Nevis. It is overlooked by Mullach nan Coirean’s South East Top
The other two northern corries are smaller: Coire Riabhach also drains to Glen Nevis while Coire a’ Mhuillinn empties further west into the River Kiachnish which delineates the mountain's western boundary. A fourth corrie, Coire Carach stands on the mountain's southern slopes.
Mullach nan Coirean has four ridges radiating from its summit. The eastern ridge links to the adjoining Munro of Stob Bàn which is 2 miles away, whilst the south-western ridge links to the subsidiary top of Meall a' Chaorainn (2,986 feet) before descending steeply to the valley of the River Kiachnish.
The northern ridge is 2½ miles long and has the vitrified fort of Dùn Deardail ("Fort of the Red Eye")[4] near its terminus just before it joins Glen Nevis. The fort is said to be named after Deirdre, the princess of Ulster, it is one in a line of vitrified forts that stretches from Craig Phàdraig outside Inverness to the west coast.[5]
The northeast ridge also descends to Glen Nevis but is much shorter. The mountain's lower northern slopes are covered by the coniferous woodland of the Nevis Forest.
Ascents
Mullach nan Coirean is often ascended in conjunction with the neighbouring Stob Bàn. This walk starts at Achriabhach and climbs Coire a' Mhusgain before crossing Stob Bàn to reach Mullach nan Coirean. A direct ascent of the mountain starts at the same place and goes through the Nevis Forest to reach Mullach nan Coirean’s northeast ridge which is ascended to the summit.
The top of the mountain is an excellent place to view Loch Linnhe.[6]
References
- The Munros: Donald Bennett et al.: Scottish Mountaineering Trust: ISBN 0-907521-13-4
- 100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains, Ralph Storer, ISBN 0-7515-0300-2
- Hamish’s Mountain Walk, Hamish Brown, ISBN 1-898573-08-5
- ↑ Munro Magic. Gives basic combined walk details from Achriabhach.
- ↑ "The Munros" Page 69 (Gives Gaelic translation as "Summit of the Corries") .
- ↑ "The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland" Pages 88 (Gives Gaelic translation as "Top of the Corries").
- ↑ "Hamish's Mountain Walk" Page 166 (Gives info on Dùn Deardail vitrified fort).
- ↑ The Modern Antiquarian. Details of Dùn Deardail
- ↑ The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club Hillwalkers' Guide.
| Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 4 - Loch Linnhe to Loch Ericht |
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|
Am Bodach • An Gearanach • Aonach Beag (Alder) • Aonach Beag (Nevis) • Aonach Mor • Beinn a' Chlachair • Beinn Bheoil • Beinn Eibhinn • Beinn na Lap • Ben Alder • Ben Nevis • Binnein Beag • Binnein Mòr • Càrn Dearg (Alder) • Càrn Dearg (Loch Ossian) • Càrn Mòr Dearg • Chno Dearg • Creag Pitridh • Geal Charn • Geal Charn, Ardverekie • Mullach nan Coirean • Na Gruagaichean • Sgor Gaibhre • Sgurr a' Mhàim • Sgùrr Choinnich Mòr • Sgùrr Eilde Mòr • Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin • Stob Bàn, Grey Corries • Stob Bàn, Mamores • Stob Choire Claurigh • Stob Coire a' Chairn • Stob Coire an Laoigh • Stob Coire Easain • Stob Coire Sgriodain |