Creag nam Bodach

About Creag nam Bodach

Rising dramatically above the village of Killin, this rugged peak forms a sharp, rocky highlight of the celebrated Tarmachan Ridge. Known for its steep southern flanks and craggy character, it offers walkers a more technical feel than many of its neighbours, with far-reaching views across the glistening waters of Loch Tay.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from Scottish Gaelic and translates as the 'Crag of the Old Men'. In Highland folklore, a 'bodach' can refer to an elder, but it also frequently describes a spectre or a specific type of spirit, lending the crags a somewhat haunted reputation.
• •It is most frequently visited as part of a traverse of the Tarmachan Ridge, providing a sharp, rocky contrast to the broader, grassy slopes found elsewhere in this part of the Grampians.
• •The summit offers an exceptional perspective on the local engineering landscape, with a direct view down to the Lochan na Lairige dam and the massive eastern bulk of the Ben Lawers range, including the distinctive peak of An Stuc.
• •The hill is part of the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve, where the lime-rich mica-schist rock supports a rare collection of arctic-alpine plants that are difficult to find anywhere else in the UK.
• •The existence of a very well-worn bypass path around the rocky steps suggests that many hikers, upon meeting the 'Crag of the Old Men' face-to-face, decide they aren't quite ready for the introduction.