Scotland
Beinn a' Chaoinich
410M
1345FT
About Beinn a' Chaoinich
Rising steeply above the Skye Bridge and Kyleakin, this rugged Marilyn offers a commanding coastal perspective. Its terrain is quintessential West Highland—a mix of damp heather, mossy hollows, and rocky ribs. Though modest in height, it provides a grandstand view over the Inner Sound towards the Applecross peninsula and the Black Cuillin.
Key Statistics
Rank
382nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
272m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking on ancient sandstone that was partially melted deep underground. This hardened, layered rock forms the rugged foundation of Beinn a' Chaoinich.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG859183
Latitude
57.2053°N
Longitude
5.5464°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Beinn a' Chaoinich', which translates as 'Hill of the Moss', referring to the damp, sphagnum-heavy moorland and cotton grass that blanket the lower slopes.
- •From the summit, the view north looks directly down onto the Skye Bridge and the lighthouse at Eilean Bàn, with the distinctive flat-topped profile of Dun Caan on the Isle of Raasay visible beyond.
- •Most walkers approach from the Skye side near Kyleakin, navigating a scramble of rough grass and outcrops that makes the hill feel significantly more alpine than its 410-metre elevation suggests.
- •In a region of world-class mountains, this hill serves as a final, mossy hurdle for those arriving on the island, though most visitors are too busy looking at the Skye Bridge to notice they are being loomed over.