Bluestacks
The location map here shows the coverage of our forthcoming Bluestacks 1:25,000 scale map. I made several enquiries during fieldwork as to what local people call these hills just north of Donegal town. I found there are a few collective names for various parts.
There is no doubt but that the name Bluestacks is broadly used but usually refers to the central higher part of the hills. Croaghgorm, Bluestack, Cró Ghorm or Cruach Ghorm is the name for the highest top and like Blackstair in Carlow/ Wexford, the name extends to cover a group of adjacent tops.
The name The Croaghs, The Crós or Na Chruacha is also used but properly relates to the valleys and hills on the northern side of the range. This is a Gaeltacht area and has a strong sense of culture & heritage.
Then a band of lower hills just north of Loch Eske are called the Edrigole Hills, whilst the large tract of mountain grazing and hills between Loch Eske and Barnesmore Gap are the Tawnawilly Hills – Tamhnaigh a’ Mhullaigh.
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Hugely informative as ever, Barry. I’m counting down the days until you are able to publish the finished article. Having started off walking in the Bluestacks back in the 70’s with the Venture Scouts and not having ventured out there since the early 90’s, I’m looking forward to having your map to hand.
Have you come across any stories of mineral interference in navigation. Our experience was walking up a track over bogland north of Lough Eske towards Belshade and we twice encountered spots where the compass needle was being pushed way off beam.
Thanks Ian, I know the track you talk of but why this would be the case I can’t explain. Granite terrain on the whole, must look at a geological map of that spot