Beinn Odhar Bheag

About Beinn Odhar Bheag

Rising steeply above the western shores of Loch Shiel, this rugged West Highland Corbett offers a wild, pathless experience. Known for its challenging, boggy approaches, the effort is rewarded by a rocky summit ridge with commanding views over the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the serrated peaks of the Rough Bounds of Knoydart.

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Did You Know?

• •Derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'Beinn Odhar Bheag', which translates as the 'Little Dun Hill'. The term 'odhar' refers to a sallow or brindled colour, describing the muted tones of the mountain's grasses and rocky outcrops.
• •This summit is the highest point in the historic district of Moidart, sharing that distinction with Rois-bheinn, which stands at the same elevation of 882 metres.
• •It is part of a twin-peak massif alongside Beinn Odhar Mhòr (the 'Big Dun Hill'). In a common cartographic irony, the 'Little' hill is actually the higher of the two, surpassing its 'Big' brother by approximately one metre.
• •Looking west on a clear day, the peaks of the Isle of Rum, including Askival and Hallival, rise sharply from the Atlantic, while the lower, flat-topped profile of Eigg is visible to the southwest.
• •The usual approach from the A830 involves navigating Gleann an t-Sìthein (the 'Glen of the Fairies'), though the saturated terrain suggests the local spirits might be more mischievous than benevolent.
• •Despite the name, there is nothing particularly 'little' about the climb; most hikers find that the Moidart bogs have a way of making every one of those 883 metres feel significantly taller.