Scotland
Beinn an Eoin
545M
1788FT
About Beinn an Eoin
Rising steeply above the eastern shores of Loch Eck in Cowal, this rugged Marilyn offers a characterful ascent through forestry and open hillside. The summit provides a focused perspective over the long, narrow reach of the loch towards the Arrochar Alps and the sharp silhouette of The Cobbler to the northeast.
Key Statistics
Rank
134th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Data coming soon
Prominence
?
272
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking on Altnaharra psammite, a hard, grainy rock that was once layers of ancient sand. This durable foundation forms the mountain's rugged slopes.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NC389082
Latitude
58.0343°N
Longitude
4.7293°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Beinn an Eòin', meaning 'Mountain of the Bird'. In this part of the Cowal Peninsula, such names often historically referred to the presence of golden eagles that favored the high, craggy outcrops overlooking the sea lochs.
- •Unlike many hills of this height, it is classified as a Marilyn, meaning it has at least 150 metres of prominence. This isolation ensures that the view across the deep trench of Loch Eck remains unobstructed by immediate neighbors.
- •The summit offers a particularly clear look at the 'Arrochar Alps' to the northeast, where the distinctively jagged profiles of Beinn Narnain and Beinn Artair (The Cobbler) dominate the horizon across the Cowal boundary.
- •Most walkers approach the hill from the eastern side of Loch Eck, utilizing the forest tracks near Bernice. The transition from the dense, shaded plantation to the bright, heather-clad upper slopes is one of the most rewarding moments of the climb.
- •The lower forestry sections are a classic test of a walker's patience; by the time you reach the open ridge, you will have developed an intimate, if slightly reluctant, relationship with the local sitka spruce.