Beinn Bheoil

About Beinn Bheoil

Stretching along the eastern shore of Loch Ericht, this Munro is defined by its long, undulating summit ridge. Often overshadowed by neighbouring Ben Alder, it offers a quieter, high-altitude walk with dramatic, plunging views over the deep waters of the loch and the vast, remote landscapes of the Alder forest.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Beinn Bheoil, meaning 'Mountain of the Mouth.' This is thought to refer to its position overlooking the Bealach Breabag, the pass or 'mouth' that separates it from the Ben Alder massif.
• •Beinn Bheoil is almost exclusively climbed in tandem with Ben Alder. Given its remote location, most walkers use a mountain bike to navigate the fifteen-kilometre track along Loch Ericht from Dalwhinnie before starting the actual ascent.
• •The summit offers a superior perspective of Ben Alder’s famous 'Leachas' ridges; from this vantage point across the glen, the Short and Long Leachas appear as a series of steep, intimidating rocky tiers.
• •The hill sits in the heart of the Ben Alder Estate, a region so remote that it was used as a hiding place by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) in the 'Cluny’s Cage' hideout following the Battle of Culloden.
• •Despite being a significant 1019m peak, it is often regarded as the 'afterthought Munro'—the hill walkers reluctantly tackle on the long return journey simply because they have already done the hard work of reaching the high col.