Barron, H F, Gillespie, M R and Merritt, J W 2011. Geodiversity of the Cairngorms National Park. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/10/019
A PDF of this report is available from the NORA, the NERC archive
Site no.: Q30
Site name: The Beum a' Chlaidheimh Breach
Grid reference:
Locality: The col on the main watershed utilized by the B 9007 road, between Duthil and Lochindorb.
GCR Status: N/A
GCR No.: N/A
Type: Natural landform assemblage
Description: A major glacial breach from which several deep, winding glacial meltwater channels with interlocking spurs cut into bedrock descend toward the north. An esker winds its way northwards towards Beum a' Chlaidheimh.
Justification: An excellent, easily-accessible example of a glacial breach and of a 'leeside' glacial drainage channel that starts at the watershed, suggesting that it was functioning when Strathspey ice had retreated southwards to the watershed and ground immediately to the north was essentially ice free. The esker would have been formed by subglacial meltwaters converging on the col from the south.