Scotland
Beneraird
439M
1440FT
About Beneraird
Rising above the desolate moors of South Ayrshire and Wigtownshire, this broad, peat-covered upland is defined by its isolation. Its summit, marked by a trig pillar and a prominent telecommunications mast, offers a sprawling perspective over the North Channel towards Ailsa Craig and the sharp peaks of Arran.
Key Statistics
Rank
342nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Uplands
Prominence
?
307m
Nearest Town
Dumfries and Galloway
Geology
Beneath your boots lies the Kirkcolm Formation. It consists of wacke, a muddy sandstone created from layers of sediment on an ancient seafloor.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NX135785
Latitude
55.0660°N
Longitude
4.9215°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Gaelic Beinn na h-Àirde, meaning 'hill of the height', reflecting its status as the most significant vantage point in this south-western corner of the Galloway region.
- •Due to its isolation and prominence, the summit provides an exceptional maritime view that includes the Rhins of Galloway, the Mull of Kintyre, and the distant Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland.
- •A large telecommunications mast stands near the summit; while a stark modern intrusion, it serves as a reliable navigational landmark for walkers crossing the often featureless plateau in low cloud.
- •The ascent often involves navigating 'Galloway glue'—the local term for the thick, saturated peat and moss that dominates the approach and rarely dries out, even during a dry spell.