Scotland
Beinn Bhan
712M
2337FT
About Beinn Bhan
Rising above the western shores of Loch Lochy near North Laggan, this 712m peak offers a quieter alternative to the nearby Great Glen honeypots. Its broad, heathery slopes provide a rugged ascent with rewarding vistas across the Caledonian Canal towards the high ridges of the Grey Corries and the Nevis range.
Key Statistics
Rank
172nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Data coming soon
Prominence
?
44m
Nearest Town
North Laggan
Geology
The ground beneath you is composed of hard, sandy rocks called psammite and quartzite. These durable layers form the sturdy foundation of this rugged hill.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN326966
Latitude
57.0304°N
Longitude
4.7592°W
Did You Know?
- •Translated from Scottish Gaelic, Beinn Bhàn means 'White Mountain'. In this part of the Lochaber highlands, the name likely refers to the persistent winter snows that cling to its high slopes or the pale, sun-bleached grasses found on its upper plateau during the summer months.
- •The summit offers a unique perspective on the Great Glen Fault; looking south-west, you can trace the dead-straight line of Loch Lochy towards Gairlochy, while the distinctive massif of Ben Nevis is often visible on the distant horizon in clear weather.
- •The ascent typically begins near the Laggan Locks, a series of canal basins engineered by Thomas Telford. These locks serve as the 'summit' of the Caledonian Canal, making Beinn Bhàn an appropriate vantage point to view the highest section of the historic waterway.
- •Despite being named 'White Mountain', for much of the year visitors will find the terrain a stubbornly damp shade of peat-brown that is far more characteristic of the local moorland.