Scotland
Ben Aigan
471M
1545FT
About Ben Aigan
Rising above the River Spey in Moray, this prominent Marilyn is defined by its extensive forestry and well-graded tracks. While much of the ascent is sheltered by conifers, the summit opens out to provide a commandingly clear perspective over the winding river and the famous distilleries of Craigellachie.
Key Statistics
Rank
154th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
289m
Nearest Town
Dufftown
Geology
You are walking on the Ben Aigan Quartzite, a sturdy foundation of hardened, sand-rich rocks that have been squeezed into a very tough surface.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NJ309481
Latitude
57.5182°N
Longitude
3.1540°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic Beinn h-Aigan, commonly translated as 'Hill of the Little Basin', likely referring to the distinctive hollows carved into its eastern slopes.
- •On a clear day, the summit offers a sharp view of the Bin of Cullen to the northeast and the sprawling peaks of the Cairngorm plateau to the south.
- •The Speyside Way long-distance path skirts the hill’s eastern shoulder, offering a higher-altitude vantage point for walkers traveling between the villages of Craigellachie and Fochabers.
- •Standing as a significant high point in the local landscape, the hill served as a key site for the Ordnance Survey’s primary triangulation of Scotland during the 19th century.
- •The summit provides an excellent aerial perspective of the nearby Macallan distillery; it is perhaps the only place in the region where you can look down on that much expensive whisky without a glass in your hand.