Aonach Beag (Ben Alder)

Aonach Beag is a 1,116-metre (3,661 ft) mountain in the Highlands of Scotland in the remote area between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan located about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northwest of Ben Alder. Its prominence is 99 metres (325 ft) with its parent peak, Geal-Charn, about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) to the east.[1] In Gaelic, Aonach Beag means "little ridge" despite it being a Munro.[2] It should not be confused with the better-known Munro near Ben Nevis, also called Aonach Beag, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west.

This article is about the mountain near Ben Alder. For the higher Munro near Ben Nevis, see Aonach Beag.

Aonach Beag
Aonach Beag (centre) with Beinn Eibhinn to the left and Ben Nevis in the far distance on the right
Highest point
Elevation	1,116 m (3,661 ft) [1]
Prominence	99 m (325 ft) [1]
Parent peak	Geal-Charn
Listing	Munro, Murdo
Coordinates	56°50′00″N 4°31′44″W
Naming
English translation	Little ridge[2]
Language of name	Gaelic
Pronunciation	Scottish Gaelic: [ˈɯːnəx ˈpek] English approximation: OON-əkh-BEK
Geography
Aonach Beag Ben Alder, Scotland
Parent range	Grampian Mountains
OS grid	NN458742
Topo map	OS Landranger 42

The mountain is one of a range of hills running between Loch Ossian and Loch Pattack and is itself at the convergence of three ridges. Its neighbouring peak to the west is Beinn Eibhinn which extends over a larger area although at 1,100 kilometres (680 mi) it is slightly less high. Between these two peaks is Lochan a'Chàrra Mhòir at the head of Choire a'Chàrra Mhòir. The shortest route of ascent starts from Corrour railway station and passes Loch Ossian youth hostal before going beside the southern shore of Loch Ossian to pass Corrour Lodge and then go up Bealach Dubh along Uisge Labhair.[3][4] At one time the peak was often climbed after staying at Culra bothy but the bothy has since been closed.[5][6] All routes involve a considerable walk-in.[7]

The mountain lies within the Ben Alder and Aonach Beag Special Area of Conservation as an upland area of acidic scree with Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands.[8] The area is very varied ecologically – the three-leaved rush, hare’s-foot sedge and scorched alpine sedge are to be found near the summit. On account of the lengthy snow cover the area is exceptional for its bryophytes.[9]

References

Citations

1. Edwardes, Simon. "Aonach Beag". www.hill-bagging.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
2. Butterfield (1986), p. 318.
3. Hodgkiss (1991), pp. 88–89.
4. Hodgkiss (1994), pp. 161–162.
5. Fallon, Steven. "Alder Forest". stevenfallon.co.uk. Steven Fallon Mountain Adventures. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
6. "Culra". www.mountainbothies.org.uk. Mountain Bothies Association. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
7. "Aonach Beag (Alder)". Walkhighlands. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
8. "Ben Alder and Aonach Beag SAC". sitelink.nature.scot. Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
9. "Ben Alder and Aonach Beag". Important Plant Areas. Plantlife. Retrieved 25 October 2019.

Works cited

• Butterfield, Irvine (1986). "Chapter 9: Ben Alder and Loch Ossian". The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland (Book Club Associates ed.). Diadem Books. pp. 79–86.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Hodgkiss, Peter (1991). "Section 4: Loch Linnhe to Loch Ericht". In Bennet, Donald (ed.). The Munros (2nd ed.). Scottish Mountaineering Trust. pp. 66–91. ISBN 0-907521-31-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Hodgkiss, Peter (1994). "Chapter 12: Loch Ossian to Loch Laggan". In Bennet, Donald; Strang, Tom (eds.). The Central Highlands. Scottish Mountaineering Trust. pp. 158–167. ISBN 0-907521-44-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)