- 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 mɔrFoinaven (
Scottish Gaelic : Fionne Bheinn) is amountain inScotland , situated in the far north-west corner of theScottish Highlands . Like many of themonolith ic mountains that surround it, the mountain is within theMoine Thrust Belt and is made up of imbricated layers ofquartzite which overlie the older Lewisiangneiss 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 tinylochans 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 quartzitescree s 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) andArkle were also the names of two Irish thoroughbred steeplechaseracehorse s owned by the Duchess of Westminster (wife of the lateHugh 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 byBP . [http://www.offshore-technology.com/projects/foinaven/]References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.