Creag Meagaidh

Creag Meagaidh
Inverness-shire
Coire Ardair and Creag Meagaidh
Range:	Monadhliath Mountains
Summit:	3,701 feet NN418875 56°57’6"N, 4°36’5"W

Creag Meagaidh is a mountain in Inverness-shire, which reaches a height of 3,701 feet at its summit, and so it qualifies as a Munro. It is found on the northern side of Glen Spean.

This is a complex mountain, taking the form of a flat summit plateau from which five ridges radiate, and is most famed for the cliffs surrounding the corrie named Coire Ardair on the north-eastern face. These crags are a renowned venue for winter and ice climbing, though being somewhat vegetated they are less suited to "normal" climbing.

The name 'Creag Meagaidh' is also applied to refer to the wider groupd of mountains of which it forms a part, including the neighbouring peaks of Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Carn Liath.

All three peaks in the range may be climbed from Aberarder on the A86 road by initially following the path leading up Coire Ardair, before striking north to the summit of Carn Liath. A circuit of the glen may be made by returning to Aberarder by way of Creag Meagaidh's east ridge. The most direct route to the summit of Creag Meagaidh ascends from the head of the corrie to reach a narrow gap between the crags known as The Window. The Window forms the bealach between Creag Meagaidh and Stob Poite Coire Ardair. Creag Meagaidh may also be climbed from Moy to the south-east.

Creag Meagaidh is designated as both a Special Protection Area and a National Nature Reserve, and the number of grazing animals is controlled. This has led to a regrowth of the native woodland of birch, alder, willow, rowan and oak. The site is also an important breeding ground for many species of birds, in particular the dotterel Charadrius morinellus.

Outside links

• Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve
• Creag Meagaidh Special Protection Area