Scotland
Beinn Bhragair
262M
859FT
About Beinn Bhragair
Rising from the vast peat moors of western Lewis, this rugged Marilyn offers a characteristically pathless and boggy ascent. Despite its modest height, the summit feels incredibly remote, providing an uninterrupted perspective of the Atlantic coastline and the intricate network of freshwater lochans that define the island's interior landscape.
Key Statistics
Rank
137th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Northern Isles
Prominence
?
150.9m
Nearest Town
Siabost
Geology
You are walking across the Lewisian Complex, a solid foundation of hard, striped rock known as gneiss.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NB266432
Latitude
58.2927°N
Longitude
6.6660°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic, with 'Bragar' likely deriving from the Old Norse Brag-á, potentially meaning 'noisy river' or 'chieftain's river,' reflecting the Viking influence on the Outer Hebrides.
- •From the trig point, you can look south toward the higher peaks of North Harris, while the prominent profile of Suaineabhal stands out to the southwest.
- •The ascent typically begins near the village of Bragar, home to a famous whalebone arch made from the jawbones of a blue whale that washed ashore in 1920.
- •Navigating the 'Great Moor' surrounding the hill requires a keen eye for the firmest ground, as the Lewisian Gneiss bedrock is almost entirely smothered by deep blanket bog.
- •The local sheep are often the only company you'll have, and they generally show a much better understanding of the driest lines through the peat than any map can provide.