Foinaven

Infobox Mountain
Name = Foinaven - Ganu Mòr
Photo = Foinaven_from_Achriesgill.jpg
Caption = Foinaven seen from Achriesgill on Loch Inchard
Elevation = 911 m (2,988 ft) [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6732715.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Hill does not measure up to Munro |date=2007-06-08]
Location = Sutherland, Scotland
Range =
Prominence = 690 m
Parent peak = Ben Klibreck
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 9
Type =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = NC315507
Listing = Marilyn, Corbett
Translation = White hill - Big wedge
Language = Gaelic
Pronunciation = fɔɪnɑvɛn] , [gænu mɔr

Foinaven (Scottish Gaelic: Fionne Bheinn) is a mountain in Scotland, situated in the far north-west corner of the Scottish Highlands. Like many of the monolithic mountains that surround it, the mountain is within the Moine Thrust Belt and is made up of imbricated layers of quartzite which overlie the older Lewisian gneiss basement. The quartzite, being tougher, stood firm when all the surrounding rock was eroded away, leaving the huge mountain isolated.

Foinaven is not difficult to climb but it is about five miles from the nearest road. All ascents therefore require a long and strenuous hike over a wild landscape covered in peat groughs and tiny lochans that restrict progress. When you arrive at the bottom of the mountain there is then a steep climb followed by a scramble along a sharp ridge to the highest point, Ganu Mòr. Very strong walkers can continue onwards, taking in Foinaven's smaller neighbour, Arkle. Sitting on the summit ridge one can constantly hear the shifting and sliding of the quartzite screes below the crags — an eerie sound that never stops.

As from all the North West Highland peaks the panorama is very good — a combination of sea, loch and mountain that is further enhanced by Foinaven's proximity to the sea — that is if you are lucky enough to get a clear day.

Foinaven was thought to be a Munro, but it actually falls twelve feet short of the required 3,000 ft [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=902022007]

ee also

*Foinavon (note different spelling) and Arkle were also the names of two Irish thoroughbred steeplechase racehorses owned by the Duchess of Westminster (wife of the late Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster) in the 1960s. They were named after the mountains.
*The name Foinaven has also been applied to one of the North Sea oil fields, operated by BP. [http://www.offshore-technology.com/projects/foinaven/]

References