Scotland
Beinn Mheadhan
637M
2090FT
About Beinn Mheadhan
Rising as a central point among the rounded granite giants of the Red Cuillin, this 637m peak offers a quieter alternative to its jagged neighbours. Its steep, scree-covered slopes are characteristic of the range, rewarding climbers with a commanding perspective over Loch Ainort and the Sound of Raasay.
Key Statistics
Rank
78th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
73m
Nearest Town
Argyll and Bute
Geology
You are walking on dark, crystalline rock and lighter, fine-grained stone, both formed from cooling magma deep within an ancient volcano.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NM653378
Latitude
56.4745°N
Longitude
5.8112°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Beinn Mheadhan translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Middle Hill'. It is aptly named for its central position in the Red Cuillin, sandwiched between the prominent masses of Glamaig to the north and Beinn Dearg Mhòr to the south.
- •It is frequently climbed as part of a classic circuit of the 'Red Hills' starting from Sligachan, typically linked with Beinn Dearg Mhòr via the high col at Bealach na Sgùrr.
- •From the summit, walkers are treated to a clear line of sight across the water to the island of Raasay and the distinctive, flat-topped silhouette of Dùn Caan.
- •While the nearby Black Cuillin is famous for its dark, grippy gabbro, Beinn Mheadhan is composed of pinkish granite. This geological difference results in the smoother, conical profiles and the vast, sliding scree slopes found on this side of Glen Sligachan.
- •In a landscape defined by the 'Great' and 'Small' peaks of its neighbours, Beinn Mheadhan settles for being the 'Middle' one, though the unforgiving angle of its scree suggests it is far from average.