Scotland
Beinn Ruigh Choinnich
276M
906FT
About Beinn Ruigh Choinnich
Dominating the skyline above Lochboisdale, this accessible Marilyn provides a rugged introduction to South Uist. The climb is short but steep over heathery ground, rewarding walkers with a superb perspective of the Outer Hebrides’ eastern coastline and views across the Minch to the peaks of Rum and Skye.
Key Statistics
Rank
125th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Northern Isles
Prominence
?
170m
Nearest Town
Loch Baghasdail
Geology
You are walking on tough, heat-altered rock. The ground also features glassy layers created by the intense friction of massive shifts along an ancient fault.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NF806196
Latitude
57.1565°N
Longitude
7.2837°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, meaning ‘the hill of Kenneth’s slope’. While the identity of the original Kenneth has been lost to history, the name is frequently anglicised as Ben Kenneth.
- •On the first Sunday of every August, the hill becomes the centrepiece of a local tradition: a race from Lochboisdale pier to the summit and back. It is a punishing sprint that climbs nearly 300 metres in a very short distance.
- •From the summit, you can look west across the narrow waist of South Uist to see the Atlantic Ocean, while to the south, the hills of Eriskay and the distinct silhouette of Barra are clearly visible across the Sound of Barra.
- •The hill serves as a natural lookout over the Minch; on clear days, the Cuillin of Skye and the distinctive 'Small Isles' of Rum, Eigg, and Canna are prominent on the eastern horizon.
- •Despite its modest height, the ascent starts effectively at sea level, ensuring that every one of its 906 feet must be earned honestly through the heather.