Scotland
Breac-Bheinn
464M
1522FT
About Breac-Bheinn
Rising above the Applecross peninsula, this rugged Marilyn offers a pathless but rewarding ascent through typical North West Highland moorland. While modest in height at 464m, its coastal position provides an exceptional vantage point over the Inner Sound towards the Cuillin on Skye and the neighbouring Crowlin Islands.
Key Statistics
Rank
187th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
159m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking on hard, sandy rocks known as psammite. These layers often feature shimmering, flaky minerals that form the rugged foundation of the fell.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH498950
Latitude
57.9198°N
Longitude
4.5372°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Breac-Bheinn is Scottish Gaelic for 'speckled mountain,' a reference to the dappled appearance of the hillside where grey Lewisian gneiss outcrops break through the cover of heather and grass.
- •From the summit, the view across the Inner Sound is extensive, offering a clear sightline to the Isle of Raasay and the jagged skyline of the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye.
- •The hill is often overlooked in favour of the higher peaks of Torridon to the north, yet its isolation on the Applecross peninsula provides a unique perspective of the massive sandstone terraces of Beinn Bhan.
- •Despite its relatively low elevation, the ascent involves navigating significant areas of peat hags and trackless terrain, requiring more effort than its 464-metre height might suggest.
- •The 'speckled' nature of the mountain usually refers to the geology, though after a typical Highland downpour, the term just as accurately describes the state of a walker's trousers after navigating the boggy approach.