Scotland
Beinn Shiantaidh
757M
2484FT
About Beinn Shiantaidh
As the second-highest of the three Paps of Jura, this cone of unstable quartzite scree offers a punishing but rewarding ascent. Its steep flanks are notorious for shifting underfoot, but the summit provides unparalleled views across the Sound of Jura towards the Kintyre Peninsula and the neighbouring Beinn an Òir.
Key Statistics
Rank
10th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Southern Hebrides
Prominence
?
303m
Nearest Town
Data coming soon
Geology
You are walking on Jura Quartzite, an incredibly hard and durable rock formed from compressed sandstone. This solid foundation gives the mountain its rugged, enduring character.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NR513747
Latitude
55.9017°N
Longitude
5.9793°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Scottish Gaelic for 'holy mountain', likely referencing the peak's status as a prominent landmark for early travellers moving between the monasteries of the Hebrides.
- •The mountain is constructed primarily of Jura Quartzite, a rock so hard and nutrient-poor that very little vegetation grows on the upper slopes, leaving the peak a stark, pale grey.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point over Loch Tàrbert, a long sea loch that nearly bisects the island, leaving only a narrow neck of land connecting the north and south.
- •To the south-east, the view extends across the Sound of Jura to the long spine of the Kintyre Peninsula and the jagged skyline of the Isle of Arran.
- •Despite its status as the 'holy mountain', the relentless 45-degree scree slopes are a place where hikers are more likely to find a burst boot than a spiritual epiphany.