The Bealach na Ba Earthcache EarthCache
The Bealach na Ba Earthcache
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The Bealach na Ba rises to 2053ft in height from sea level in about five miles, and is the most spectacular example of a U-shaped glacial valley in Scotland.
During the last 2 million years, the Highlands of Scotland have experienced a series of glacial periods, the last of which ended some 10,000bp. The result of this has been the transformation of the landscape into the rugged and often barren scenes which are so well illustrated on the Applecross Peninsula.
At the height of the glaciation, ice moved down the valley, plucking loose rock fragments from the valley sides and using these to abrade (scrape away) the floor of the valley, since the weight of the great depth of ice pressed the rocks into the floor of the valley then dragged them along in a 'sand-papering' effect. Typically, this leaves very smooth rock surfaces with striations - scratches left by larger rocks as they were moved across the surface. Smaller material was responsible for the polishing effect. There are many examples of such rocks in the Bealach na Ba, such as those at the above coordinates. Immediately uphill from the coordinates is a large,square boulde approximately 2x2x2 metres in size. This was transported here by the glacier and dropped as the ice decayed. This, and the sheer immensity of the valley you are standing in, illustrates the power of ice in forming our landscapes.
Applecross has always been one of the most remote areas of Scotland: access to the village was either over the Bealach na Ba, or by sea right up until 1975 when a new coast road was completed. In 1850 nearly 3,000 people lived on the peninsula in crofting and fishing townships scattered along the west and north coasts, accessible only by foot or by boat. Today there are less than 300 people. As was the case throughout the Highlands, the Clearances accounted for some of the depopulation, but lack of local opportunities and work also contributed: young people moved away to large urban centres with their growing industries. Now ruins of previous communities lie scattered along the coast.
Applecross was second only to Iona as an early Christian settlement in Scotland. In 673 AD the Irish Monk Maelrubha founded this Christian settlement on the land between the river and Beinn A'Chlachain. He declared the surrounding area a sanctuary, and even today, Applecross is known as A'Chomraich (The Sanctuary). For almost sixty years, Maelrubha used it as his base to spread the gospel from Applecross to Lochcarron and into Easter Ross. Unfortunately, nearly every trace of Maelrubha's settlement in Applecross has long since disappeared: Clachan Church now stands on his original site.
Today, crofting, fishing and tourism are the main sources of employment in Applecross, as is the case along most of the west coast. The area is stunningly beautiful, with views across Raasay to Skye and the Cuillins from the village. From the roadside viewpoint at the summit of the peninsula it is possible to see over 50 miles over Eigg and Rhum to Ardnamurchan, the most westerly point on mainland Britain.
And now to the cache.
Park at N 57 24.426 W005 41.114. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS PARKED AS FAR IN TO THIS SPACE AS POSSIBLE, TO LEAVE OTHERS ROOM FOR PASSING IF NECESSARY.
Cross the road carefully.
The tasks you must complete are as follow:
THE ANSWERS MUST BE EMAILED TO ME AND NOT NOT NOT POSTED IN THE LOG.
1. At the cache site, take a photo of yourself between the ‘goal posts’. Face up the valley, with GPSr in full view. POST THIS PHOTO IN YOUR LOG OF YOUR VISIT.
2. Immediately beyond the ‘goal posts’ is a steep drop. Give me the name of this type of feature, and EXPLAIN IN DETAIL how was it formed.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)