Ciste Dhubh
| Ciste Dhubh | |
|---|---|
Gaelic | |
| Pronunciation | Scottish Gaelic: [ˈkʰʲiʃtʲə ˈɣuh] English approximation: KYISHT-yə-GOO |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kintail, Scotland |
| Parent range | Northwest Highlands |
| OS grid | NH062166 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 414 |
Ciste Dhubh is a
Landscape
Ciste Dhubh has a prominent pointed peak with flanks which are predominantly grassy with some craggy areas on its northern slopes. The summit is precipitous and rocky, and the southern ridge is steep and in places quite narrow, it offers few dangers for walkers but care is needed in high winds or under winter conditions. The mountain also has ridges to the north west and north which descend to upper Glen Affric. There are two small
All drainage from Ciste Dhubh finds its way to the east coast of Scotland over 80 kilometres (50 mi) away. This is surprising for a mountain which stands only 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Loch Duich on the west coast. The mountains north, east and west flanks fall into deep valleys which contain the streams which form the head waters of the River Affric and takes water away north east to the Beauly Firth. Drainage from the southern slopes of the mountain goes south to Loch Cluanie and then east via the River Moriston and Loch Ness to the Moray Firth.
Climbing
The most common ascent of Ciste Dhubh starts on the
The return to Loch Cluanie can include the adjoining Munro of Aonach Meadhoin, which is a 400-metre (1,300 ft) ascent from the Bealach a’ Choinich. The view from the top of Ciste Dhubh is good: the mountain is surrounded by higher peaks but none of them are too close (Ciste Dhubh has a prominence of 388 metres (1,273 ft)) and the nearby mountains of Mullach Fraoch-choire,
References
- The Munros, Donald Bennett et al.: Scottish Mountaineering Trust: ISBN 0-907521-13-4
- The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland, ISBN 0-906371-30-9
- Hamish’s Mountain Walk, ISBN 1-898573-08-5
- The Magic Of The Munros, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0-7153-2168-4
Footnotes
- ^ "walkhighlands Ciste Dhubh". walkhighlands.co.uk. 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ "Ciste Dhubh". Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba: Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland.
- ^ "The Magic of the Munros" Page 136, Butterfield also says that "Dark Chest" probably originates from the dark summit rocks.
- ^ "The Munros" Page 172, Gives details of ascents.
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| List of Munros | |