Ben More, Mull
| Ben More | |||
| Argyllshire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Ben More from the A849 | |||
| Mull | |||
| Summit: | 3,169 feet NM525330 56°25’27"N, 6°-0’55"W | ||
Ben More is the highest mountain on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, belonging to Argyllshire. It reaches a height of 3,169 feet at its summit, and so it qualifies as a Munro; the only Munro on the island, and indeed the only Hebridean Munro that is not on Skye.
The name "Ben More" (Irish: Beinn Mhòr), means "Big Mountain".
The mountain is situated in the south of the island, above the shores of Loch na Keal.
Access and climbing route
The peak is easiest reached from Loch na Keal, the walk up from the B8035 road following farm tracks, the side of a burn named Abhainn Dhiseig, and ultimately up scree slopes to the top. From the summit on a clear day, the view encompasses the Sound of Mull, Staffa, Ulva, the Ross of Mull and Iona in the distance. From sea loch to summit is approximately a four-hour walk.
As the only mountain so high outwith Skye, it is worth the climb.
A more demanding but rewarding route follows a boggy path up the banks of Abhainn na h-Uamha to the bealach between A' Chìoch ("The Breast") and Beinn Fhada (not to be confused with its namesake in Kintail). From the bealach the route follows south-west along a steep and rocky ridge first to the peak of A' Chìoch then on and up to Ben More itself. There is respite at the top in a circular refuge of stones. This route starts and ends on the B8035 road and is approximately a six-hour walk and scramble.
Climbers should be cautious when using a compass in misty conditions since there is magnetic rock in places, especially near the summit of the mountain.
Geology
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Ben More is the remnant of a volcano, from the age around 60 million years ago when this region was volcanically active. It was in this period that the famous rock formations of Staffa and the basaltic columns of "The Castles" on Ulva came into being.
The lava flows are known as the "Staffa Magma Type member" and can also be seen on Mull at Carsaig, Ardtum, and near Tobermory on its east coast. They are particularly rich in silica.[1]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Ben More, Mull) |
References
- ↑ "Mull-Staffa". Scottish Geology Website. Hunterian Museum. Archived from the original on 1 December 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071201095148/http://www.scottishgeology.com/outandabout/classic_sites/locations/mull_staffa.html. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
| Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 17 - The Islands |
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Am Basteir • Ben More • Blaven • Bruach na Frithe • Inaccessible Pinnacle • Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh • Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh • Sgùrr Alasdair • Sgùrr Dubh Mòr • Sgùrr MhicChoinnich • Sgurr na Banachdich • Sgùrr nan Eag • Sgùrr nan Gillean |