The Hill of Pools - 1

The hill which overlooks Fascadale is a bold feature and is 262m high but, on the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map, it has no name. The OS is a little haphazard with its naming of features. Part of the map-makers' problem is that, when they make or revise a map, they have to go around the area asking people about the names, and they probably get no, or conflicting answers. As a result, some of the more prominent features, which must have had their names, remain nameless on the maps, and the memory of the name is then lost. Worse, local names are in Gaelic, and need a translation.

The view in the picture above is from the northwest, and the hill has a tempting shoulder to use as an approach to the summit, but we found that the route was blocked near the top by steep, rocky faces, so we had to move around the western side of the hill as we climbed, and come at the summit from the south.

The climb was well worth it. This picture shows the rock which forms the summit itself, and a dark, silent pool. In the distance can be seen the Isle of Muck.

This view looks down from the summit to Fascadale Bay and the three houses available to let from Ardnamurchan Estate, here. The bay used to be the centre of Ardnamurchan's salmon-fishing industry, and the flat fields to the right of the houses were used in winter to grow ice, which was placed in an ice house on the far side of the bay, enabling salmon to be stored until they were ready to be shipped to London.

The first peak is connected to another immediately to the west by a boulder-strewn saddle, and that one is named: Meall an Fhir-eoin, Eagle Hill. So, having enjoyed the view, the set off to climb it.

A map of the area is here.