Ben Cruachan (Scottish Gaelic: Cruachan Beann) is a mountain that rises to 1,126 metres (3,694 ft), the highest in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It gives its name to the Cruachan Dam, a pumped-storage hydroelectric power station located in a cavern inside the mountain. It is the high point of a ring of mountains, known as the Cruachan Horseshoe, that surrounds the power station reservoir. The horseshoe includes a further Munro (Stob Diamh), a Corbett (Beinn a' Bhuiridh), and several subsidiary summits. "Cruachan!" is the battle cry of Highland clans Campbell and MacIntyre.
Few mountains in Scotland arrest the attention quite like Ben Cruachan and her ridges. Tucked away off the main south-north artery of this region, the postion between highland and sea is both dramatic and beautiful. A thin but noble ridge connects the satellite peak (Stob Diamh)and the main peak, swooping to a low coll before rising and curving to a fine point.
The gaelic Ben Cruachan translating to Stacky hill appears quite appropriate when stood on the upper reaches. The views can be stunning. Looking north and down (almost) on all of Glen Coe, Bidean nam Bian's multiple peaks dominating the scene. The Buachilles out to the North East with Glen Etive dominating the foreground. To the east are the Crianlarich peaks, the Arrochar Alps to the south east and the 23 mile journey of Loch Awe to the South West. Westward, the sun sets behind a silhouetted Mull and the solitary Munro Ben More.
The Ben Cruachan horseshoe is deservedly the most popular route on this mountain. Possible in either direction, east to west being more popular, following the movement of the sun. In winter, on firm neve, there is possibly not a finer winter walk. Winter experience is preferred but this is nothing more than a walk providing you are used to crampons and an axe.
YOSM - As of 2024 this is now part of the YOSM series. There is a trigpoint at the summit of Ben Cruachan, or at least part of one. It is one of the round pillars unique to Scotland. Unfortunately it is suffering from damage from the harsh conditions up here, with only about 1/3 of the pillar remaining. This is likely to continue to deteriorate in the coming years.
The geocache is intended to be a simple find, and a spoiler photo is available. Due to a lack of suitable hiding places up here this may be a harder find than some of the others, there are actually two spoiler photos to guide you as it is a long way to come for a dnf. Whilst there is usually signal on the summits, it would be worth downloading the photos in advance, although the coordinates should take you to it. The container is a double potted clip lock container that will take small trackables but please remember it may not be very well visited up here. If securely closed and hidden carefully with protection from the elements it should stand up to the munro weather. Please remember there are often gale force up winds here so always ensure the container is securely hidden so it doesn't blow out. Any help with basic maintenance in this remote location is greatly appreciated.
About Ye Ole Survey Monuments
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Ye Ole Survey Monument (YOSM) is a captivating series of caches that pays homage to the remarkable legacy of OutForTheHunt's YSM series (GC45CC).
YOSM caches are strategically positioned at or near Trig Points. These triangulation stations have played a pivotal role as surveying landmarks, contributing to the mapping of expansive territories.
Some of these points, bearing historical significance, might now be situated on private land or have vanished with time. As a result, the caches are artfully placed in close proximity, reverently acknowledging the historical importance of these survey monuments.
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More information, bookmarks and statistics can be found at the YOSM Website
If anybody would like to expand the Ye Ole Survey Monuments Series, please do.
I would ask that you request a number for your cache first at www.yosm.org.uk
so we can keep track of the numbers and names to avoid duplication.