O.S. Triangulation Pillar - Ben Cruachan, Argyll & Bute.
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creg-ny-baa
N 56° 25.611 W 005° 07.907
30V E 368526 N 6255626
Remains of an Ordnance Survey pillar, constructed in 1972 on the summit of Ben Cruachan.
Waymark Code: WMVVJD
Location: Northern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/29/2017
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The 1126 metre high mountain of Ben Cruachan sits high above the northern end of Loch Awe. It is the highest point in Argyll & Bute in the west of Scotland.
A triangulation pillar was first constructed on the summit in 1936, this was a regular pillar but was replaced in 1972 by a cylindrical Vanessa pillar.
Nowadays the pillar is only around a third of its original form and is basically a stump, however the flush bracket is still visible.
The pillar shares the dramatic summit with a cairn and numerous boulders, one of which is the highest point, the views on a clear day are extensive.
STEEPNESS: From any direction the route to the summit is steep, but apart from the inaccessible north side there are not any technical difficulties.
TERRAIN: Mostly boulders which in dry conditions provide easy going. Faint paths have formed that usually seek out the best route between the worst of the terrain.
ACCESSIBILITY: The summit is less than three miles north of the A85 road which runs along the northern edge of Loch Awe and various lay-bys are to be found along the north side of the road in the vicinity of the Falls of Cruachan where the ascent of the mountain starts. The quickest route heads up the side of the falls to the massive Cruachan Dam and along the west side of the reservoir to its northern end where a path heads up to a col between Meall Cuanail and Ben Cruachan. From here it is a straight climb north to the summit.
NAVIGATION: The quickest route mentioned is the easiest way up in mist with a path to follow, the longer route along the ridge from the east requires care, as does the route from the west over the peak of Stob Dearg that lies west of the summit.
DANGER: The usual route is the most straightforward other than the steepness up to the summit and loose terrain on the zig-zagging path. The route from the east requires some handwork in places just before the summit. NB: A thirty foot ladder is required to be negotiated on climbing up to the top of the dam, but this can be avoided by following the dam access road to the east.