Scotland
Ben Lee
444M
1457FT
About Ben Lee
Dominating the skyline south of Portree, this hefty Marilyn offers a wild, pathless ascent through classic Skye heather and bog. Despite its modest height, the broad summit provides a breathtaking vantage point over the Sound of Raasay to the flat-topped Dun Caan and the jagged horizon of the Applecross hills.
Key Statistics
Rank
177th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
375m
Nearest Town
Sconser
Geology
You are walking on ancient lava flows. These hardened volcanic rocks, such as basalt and hawaiite, form the sturdy foundation of the Skye Lava Group.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG502336
Latitude
57.3246°N
Longitude
6.1505°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic Beinn Lì, which translates as the 'Shining Hill' or 'Coloured Hill', likely a reference to the way light reflects off its steep eastern face above the sea.
- •The hill played a pivotal role in Scottish social history during the 1882 'Battle of the Braes', a dispute over grazing rights on Ben Lee that became a catalyst for the landmark Crofters' Holdings Act.
- •The summit offers a perfectly framed perspective of the Sound of Raasay, with the volcanic profile of Dun Caan appearing almost at eye level across the water.
- •Despite its proximity to the island's capital, the terrain is characteristically rugged, requiring a steep pull through pathless heather and broken crags from the road at Braes.
- •Given its proximity to the congested trails of the Storr just to the north, Ben Lee remains a sanctuary where you are far more likely to encounter a stray sheep than a tourist with a selfie stick.