New target for climbers as peak joins Corbett club

a MOUNTaIN has been formally promoted after a survey revealed it was higher than previously thought.

Cnoc Coinnich in argyll has been officially recorded as 761m (2,497ft) high for more than 60 years.

But a recent survey, which used Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, showed that it in fact measures 763.5m (2,505ft).

This means that it has now earned the right to be called a Corbett – a mountain between 762m (2,500ft) and 914m (2,999ft).

as a result, there are now 222 Corbetts in Scotland and that Cnoc Coinnich, near Lochgoilhead, will become busier thanks to hillwalking fanatics determined to bag the lot.

John Barnard and Graham Jackson, who together make up G&J Surveys, carried out the assessment.

The pair had to battle through stormy weather to reach the top of the hill, where

‘A whole 8ft higher than on the maps’

they began to collect their data. The equipment, which uses height data from satellites, is capable of accuracy to 1cm.

Mr Barnard: ‘We investigated the cairn and found that the highest point on the mountain was on the edge of the crag.

‘We set up the GNSS, which could easily have fallen over the crag if caught by the wind, which was gusting to 25mph.

‘We took the chance and weighed down the legs of the tripod with rocks.

‘Once back home we processed the data and found the height of Cnoc Coinnich to be 763.5m (2,505ft) – a whole 2.5m (8ft) higher than given on the maps.

‘The data file was forwarded to Ordnance Survey, who processed it in leading-edge software and gave the new official height.’

rab anderson from the Scottish Mountaineering Club said the survey ‘confirms there are still possible changes to be made to the heights of hills when detailed measurements are carried out’.