Beinn Donn

Rising above the head of Loch Shira, this rounded Marilyn offers a quiet alternative to the rugged Arrochar Alps. Its grassy slopes, reflected in its Gaelic name, provide a steady ascent rewarded with clear views over Loch Fyne and toward the distant, jagged skyline of the Cruachan massif.

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Beinn Donn, which translates as 'Brown Hill.' This refers to the russet-coloured grasses and sedges that dominate the terrain, especially during the winter months.
• •From the summit, walkers are rewarded with a specific view of the 'twin peaks' of Ben Cruachan to the north and the long, silver expanse of Loch Fyne stretching away to the south.
• •The hill is frequently climbed from the high point of the A819 road between Inveraray and Dalmally, which provides a significant 'leg-up' and avoids the deeper bogs found in the surrounding glens.
• •It is a hill that truly lives up to its name; between the dead winter bracken and the local soil, you are far more likely to return with brown boots than you are to see any other walkers on the summit.