Beinn a' Bhacaidh

Rising above the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness near Fort Augustus, this rugged Marilyn offers a wild, heather-clad ascent. It provides a superb vantage point over the Great Glen, with particularly clear views across the water to Meall Fuar-mhonaidh and the distant, sharp profiles of the Glen Affric peaks.

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Beinn a' Bhacaidh, which translates as the 'Hill of the Hollows' or 'Hill of the Peat-banks', describing the broken, undulating terrain of the surrounding moorland.
• •The hill's northern slopes drop steeply toward Loch Tarff, a picturesque, multi-island loch that sits beside General Wade’s historic military road, now the B862.
• •The summit offers an exceptional perspective of the Great Glen fault line; looking northeast, you can trace the silver ribbon of Loch Ness almost as far as the horizon toward Inverness.
• •While the height is modest, the lack of a formal path ensures the thick heather and hidden bog pockets provide a thorough workout for your ankles.