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THE NAME Ben Nevis is almost always referred to by climbers as simply The Ben (Ben meaning Mountain). The word Nevis is derived from the Irish word “neamheis” meaning terrible and another Irish word “ni-mhaise” meaning no beauty. However the first detailed map of the Scottish highlands drawn by Timothy Pont in 1595, shows the mountain as “Ben Novesh”. THE HEIGHT OF BEN NEVIS There is great controversy regarding the true height of Ben Nevis, so let’s set the record straight. The 1794 map of Scotland proclaimed, “Ben Nevis is, at 4370ft the highest mountain in Great Britain”, although it should be remembered that this new map was simply an updated version of the 1782 map drawn by Lt. Campbell. By ‘updated’ it is meant that this was the first map showing the summit of Ben Nevis as Britain’s highest point, prior to this it had been accepted that the Cairngorm area held this claim to fame. Many people (and many reference books) still give the incorrect height of 4406ft. The post-war triangulation of 1964 gave the new height of 4418ft. But, and this is the main point, this height was that of the Flush Bracket at the base Survey Levelling Plate built in to the base of the Triangulation pillar and NOT of the ground height. As the pillar on the cairn is nine and a half feet high this makes the actual ground height of 4408ft 6 inches. Mountain heights are by tradition rounded down so the true height of Ben Nevis is 4,408ft. All mountain heights in Britain are calculated from their altitude above Ordnance Datum which is the average elevation of the sea at Newlyn in Cornwall. THE FIRST ASCENTS The first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis was made in 1771 by the noted botanist James Robertson who was on an expedition to collect plant specimens for the College Museum of Edinburgh. A few years later (1774) an ascent was recorded by John Williams, although his visit was made with an other purpose. He was trying to discover whether there were any minerals of commercial value around the summit. Luckily for us he found none. THE SUMMIT OF BEN NEVIS - THE TRIG POINT On the summit of Nevis next to the ruins of the observatory you will find the Triangulation Pillar. This is more often than not simply called the ‘Trig Point.’ [Grid reference 166(5) / 712(8)]. Many experienced climbers and walkers will tell anyone who will listen that the Trig Points are always found at the highest point on a hill or mountain. This is incorrect. They are actually sited so they can be seen from the other Trig Point positions on the surrounding hills, in many cases this is the highest point, but not always. It is important that they are positioned in this manner as each Trig Point forms a corner of a triangle, polygon or other geometric shape. This is used to produce an accurate framework which in turn is used to provide very exact fixings to the latitude and longitude, thus allowing the map maker and others to be able to work out their precise location anywhere in Britain. THE SUMMIT OF BEN NEVIS - OBSERVATORY AND HOTEL The footpath and observatory were both constructed during the summer of 1883. The contractor was James McLean of Fort William. The last rise on to the summit is named McLean’s Steep in his honour. The observatory although formally opened on Wednesday October 17th 1883 did not start operating until November 28th. The observatory was built to record “The diversity of the mountain environment” e.g. temperature, wind speed, rainfall, air pressure, etc. During 1902 it became apparent that insufficient funds were available to continue the running of the observatory and it was closed on October 1st 1904. Although one room, of the keepers hostel, was opened during the summer months as a small refreshment room. This continued until 1916. The observatory fell into disrepair, this process being helped by a fire during 1932 and the actions of both weather and unthinking climbers. Some time after the observatory started operating, a Fort William hotelier opened a small hostel/hotel connected to the main building, this was run by two local ladies on his behalf. This hotel continued receiving guests right until the end of the First World War. There were four bedrooms available at ten shillings per person, dinner, bed and breakfast. Heighting information kindly supplied by The Ordinance Survey All other information by UK Outdoor Pursuits Co. |
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