Pass of Drumochter

For the Bulk Oil Co Ltd steamship, see SS Pass of Drumochter.

Pass of Drumochter from the south. March 2007

Image of the road in winter. February 2005

The Pass of Drumochter (Scottish Gaelic: Bealach Druim Uachdair) is the main mountain pass between the northern and southern central Scottish Highlands. The A9 road passes through here, as does the Highland Main Line, the railway between Inverness and the south of Scotland. The Sustrans National Cycle Route 7 between Glasgow and Inverness also runs through the pass.

It is the high point on the A9, at 460m (1508 ft.), and in winter can be subject to severe weather conditions. Routine winter patrols take place between November and March^[1] and the road is occasionally closed with snow gates near Dalwhinnie and Dalnacardoch. The summit of the railway line is 452m (1480 ft.), making it the highest in the UK. The route through the pass has been used since prehistoric times. It is used by the RAF as a main route for low level flying and Tornados and other fast jets may often be seen here.

Train near Drumochter Summit in 1957

The pass was formed by glacial action during successive Ice Ages. From this place the River Garry flows to the south, and the River Truim to the north.

It is extremely isolated, and the nearest settlement of any size is Dalwhinnie, a small village.

The highest point on the pass marks the boundary between Perth and Kinross and the Highland Council area. A sign at this point says "Welcome to the Highlands/Fàilte don Ghàidhealtachd", although this is the boundary for the authority rather than for the Scottish highlands which extend further south of here.

References

1. ^ Winter Maintenance Practice In The Northern Periphery

External links

• Image of the Rail summit sign, DRUIMUACHDAR PASS

Coordinates: 56°51′35″N 4°14′55″W / 56.85964°N 4.24856°W / 56.85964; -4.24856