Creag Meagaidh
Creag Meagaidh (Scottish Gaelic: Creag Mèagaidh) is a mountain on the northern side of Glen Spean in the Highlands of Scotland. It is a complex mountain, made up of a flat summit plateau, with five ridges spreading out from it, overlooking five deep corries; it is most famed for the cliffs surrounding the corrie of Coire Ardair on the north-eastern face. These crags are a renowned venue for ice climbing. Creag Meagaidh rises to 1,130 metres (3,710 ft).
| Creag Mèagaidh | |
|---|---|
Coire Ardair and Creag Meagaidh | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,130 m (3,710 ft) |
| Prominence | 867 m (2,844 ft) Ranked 18th in British Isles |
| Parent peak | Ben Nevis |
| Listing | Marilyn, Munro |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | Scottish Gaelic: [ˈkʰɾʲek ˈmekɪ] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Glen Spean, Scotland |
| Parent range | Grampian Mountains |
| OS grid | NN418875 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 34, 42 |
| Name | Grid ref | Height | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Càrn Liath | NN472903 | 1,006 metres (3,301 ft) | Munro |
| Stob Poite Coire Ardair | NN428888 | 1,054 metres (3,458 ft) | Munro |
The neighbouring peaks of Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Càrn Liath are sometimes called the Creag Meagaidh range. The Creag Meagaidh massif is part of Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve. The reserve covers 3,940 hectares, extending from the shores of Loch Laggan to the high summit plateau of Creag Meagaidh. The reserve was designated in 1986 and is owned and managed by NatureScot. Creag Meagaidh is also designated as a Special Protection Area, 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.