A glacial geomorphological map of the Monadhliath Mountains, Central Scottish Highlands

The Monadhliath Mountains in the Central Scottish Highlands are dominated by an extensive plateau area that has received little Quaternary research attention during the last century. Previous studies have focussed on the geomorphology and sedimentology of isolated valleys and therefore the 1:57,500 map presented here provides the first systematic assessment of the glacial geomorphology of the region as a whole, covering an area of approximately 840 km2. Results of mapping from remotely sensed imagery and in the field reveal a large number of moraines and ice-marginal meltwater channels both within outlet valleys and on the plateau, alongside a wide range of glacial, periglacial and fluvial features including glaciolacustrine landforms and sediments, lake overflow channels, ice-contact fans, blockfields, solifluction lobes, alluvial fans, debris cones, river terraces and rock slope failures. The spatial distribution of the majority of landforms indicates that the region was dominated by at least one local plateau icefield glaciation. The map now provides a framework for further analysis, which will greatly improve understanding of the extent and dynamics of former ice masses in the region.