Scotland
Beinn nan Sparra
447M
1467FT
About Beinn nan Sparra
Rising above the western shores of Loch Ness near Fort Augustus, this modest Highland peak offers a quieter alternative to the popular Great Glen Way. Its heathery slopes provide a rugged ascent, rewarded by a commanding vantage point over the southern reaches of the loch and the sprawling plateaus of the Monadhliath.
Key Statistics
Rank
255th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
112m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking over tough quartzite and striped metamorphic rocks. These were once ancient muds and volcanic stones, transformed deep underground by intense heat and pressure.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH253245
Latitude
57.2776°N
Longitude
4.8995°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic, translating as 'Hill of the Rafters' or 'Hill of the Beams,' likely referencing the straight-grained timber historically harvested from the surrounding glens for construction.
- •The summit provides an excellent perspective on the southern end of Loch Ness, allowing walkers to look directly down on the Abbey and the tiered canal locks of Fort Augustus.
- •As a Hump—a hill with a prominence of at least 100 metres—it stands in a relatively isolated position between Glen Moriston and the Great Glen, ensuring a sense of solitude away from the busier Munro circuits.
- •Navigating the lower slopes often involves a tactical negotiation of deer fencing and the occasional boggy surprise, proving that a hill doesn't need to be high to be stubborn.