Ben Lawers

About Ben Lawers

Rising high above Loch Tay, this massive schist peak is the highest in the southern Highlands. Often climbed alongside neighbouring Beinn Ghlas, its broad, grassy slopes conceal a rare richness of arctic-alpine flora. The summit offers a commanding perspective over the Breadalbane range and the shimmering waters of the loch below.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Beinn Labhair, meaning 'the loud mountain'. This likely refers to the Lawers Burn, which tumbles down the southern slopes into Loch Tay, creating a significant roar after heavy Highland rainfall.
• •Designated as a National Nature Reserve since 1964, the mountain is famous for its rare arctic-alpine flora. The presence of mica-schist creates a base-rich soil that supports species seldom seen elsewhere in Britain, such as the drooping saxifrage and alpine gentian.
• •Throughout the 19th century, Ben Lawers was believed to exceed the prestigious 4,000-foot mark. When the Ordnance Survey measured it at 3,983 feet in the 1870s, a massive cairn was constructed to artificially 'fix' the height, though this has long since subsided.
• •From the summit, the view is one of the finest in the southern Highlands. You can look directly across the waters of Loch Tay to the twin peaks of Ben More and Stob Binnein, while the distinctive cone of Schiehallion stands out clearly to the north.
• •The mountain plays a role in the Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Scheme. Water is captured from the south face and diverted to Lochan na Lairige, where a 42-metre-high buttress dam holds the reservoir used to power turbines at Finlarig.
• •Despite its stature as the tenth highest Munro, the well-maintained National Trust for Scotland paths and high-starting car park mean you will rarely enjoy the summit in solitude; it is perhaps the only place in the Grampians where you might encounter a queue for a cairn photo.