Scotland
Ben Vane
916M
3004FT
About Ben Vane
Often overlooked as the smallest of the Munros, this rugged Arrochar peak punches well above its weight. The ascent is steep and relentlessly craggy, requiring several hands-on scrambles over rocky steps. It offers a grit-and-granite character that rewards climbers with intimate views of Ben Vorlich and the deep trench of Loch Sloy.
Key Statistics
Rank
32nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Prominence
?
424m
Nearest Town
Arrochar
Geology
You are walking on the Beinn Bheula Schist. This rugged foundation consists of ancient sandy and clay-rich rocks that were hardened by intense heat and pressure.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN277098
Latitude
56.2494°N
Longitude
4.7825°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Beinn Mheadhain, meaning 'middle mountain'. This refers to its position in the heart of the Arrochar Alps, sandwiched between its higher neighbours, Beinn Ìme to the west and Ben Vorlich to the east.
- •Despite its modest stature, it is famously the shortest of the Munros. Following a 1997 survey, its height was confirmed at 915.76 metres, placing it just four feet above the 3,000ft qualifying mark.
- •The standard ascent from Inveruglas is notoriously steep and direct. The mountain's complex, craggy eastern face creates a series of 'false summits' that can be demoralising for those expecting a quick climb based on its map height.
- •From the rocky summit cairn, the view south-west offers a distinctive perspective on the jagged, triple-peaked silhouette of Beinn Artair (The Cobbler) and the long, shimmering reach of Loch Lomond.
- •It is a mountain that proves the Ordnance Survey has a sense of humour; it seems specifically designed to ensure you climb every one of its three thousand feet at least twice thanks to the undulating, rocky staircase of the main ridge.