Ben Nevis Observatory

Ben Nevis Observatory

Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism

From 1883 until 1904, at an altitude of 1345m, an operational weather station and observatory existed on the summit of Ben Nevis. The purpose of this weather station was to facilitate meteorological research in the unique environment that the summit of Ben Nevis provides, as it is regularly situated in the direct path of Atlantic storms. Throughout its 21-year lifespan, men lived and worked at the observatory, and the data collected at the weather station is generally considered to be one of the most extensive and insightful collections of British mountain weather data. Certain members of the meteorological team were also inspired to advance multiple areas of scientific research from their time at the weather station. Most notably, Charles Thomson Rees Wilson was inspired to invent the cloud chamber from phenomenon he witnessed at the weather station. Today, the ruins of the weather station and observatory still remain on the summit of Ben Nevis, providing shelter for mountaineers.

wordlheritage2022

1883

JosephCameron

English

Site

383

07/04/2022

04/07/2022 12:16:47 am

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/article/our-records-ben-nevis-observatory

4000cm x 2000cm x 300cm

current,56.79668215988459,-5.003467798233033;

Ben Nevis Observatory

TEXT

Building

605

Operational: 1883 - 1904. Ruin: 1904 - Current

jmc42@st-andrews.ac.uk