The Crater Loch Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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There is parking space for 2 cars by the ruined cottage at the roadside, if these are taken there is further parking available in a small quarry about 500m back towards Tobermory. Please do not park in passing places.
Cross the fence by the cottage and follow the rough path up through the gate and on towards the hill. During the wet months (Jan - Dec) the path can be boggy so boots are recommended. My preferred route is to take the fainter path to the left at the bottom of the hill and head pretty much straight up - divots in the hillside make this easier than it looks and once the loch is in sight the hard climb is over, circling the loch in a clockwise direction gives the best views and follow the wall back down. Allow about an hour and a half for the circuit at a comfortable pace.
The hill which surrounds the loch, and gives it it's name, is 'S Airde Beinn, there are small cairns on each of the four sides of the loch, the highest point (by 3m) is on the west. Lochan's Airde Beinn is known locally as The Crater Loch and it is easy to look down on it and imagine you are standing on the rim of a volcano.
In fact 'S Airde Beinn is the remnant of a 60 million year old volcanic plug, one of the biggest and best examples in Western Scotland, and the loch is a glacial depression which dates back to the last ice age. The area is designated a site of special scientific interest.
Thanks to The Glengorm Estate for permission for this geocache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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