An Caisteal

An Caisteal is a Munro in the Breadalbane region of the Scottish Highlands. It stands south of Crianlarich, within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The mountain reaches 995 metres and is part of a group of seven Munros and fourteen tops on the eastern side of Glen Falloch. Its name means ‘the castle’ in Gaelic, referring to the castellated rocks at the summit. An Caisteal is usually climbed with the neighbouring Munro of Beinn a’ Chroin, connected by a high col to the south-east. The mountain is mainly grassy with rocky outcrops on the higher slopes. Four ridges radiate from the summit, with the northern ridge being the most popular ascent route. This ridge passes over Twistin Hill, which has small caves near the path and a deep cleft cutting into it. The north-west ridge also leads to Glen Falloch but is less used. The south-west ridge links to Beinn Chabhair two kilometres away, while the south-east ridge connects to Beinn a’ Chroin across the Bealach Buidhe. Visitors start from Glen Falloch, following a track by the River Falloch upstream for about a kilometre. The route then climbs Sròn Gharbh before picking up a path across Twistin Hill. Past the ‘Castle’ rocks, the summit is reached. Drainage from the mountain flows to both the east and west coasts of Scotland, with most water reaching the Firth of Clyde via the River Falloch and Loch Lomond.