Beinn Mhòr is the highest

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher t ...

on the Cowal Peninsula, west of Loch Eck in

Argyll and Bute Argyll and Bute (; , ) is one of 32 unitary authority, unitary council areas of Scotland, council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod ...

, west of

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. It has a high

topographic prominence In topography, prominence or relative height (also referred to as autonomous height, and shoulder drop in US English, and drop in British English) measures the height of a mountain or hill's summit relative to the lowest contour line encircling ...

to height ratio and consequently commands a good all round view. Beinn Mhor is within the

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park () is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond and the hills and glens of the Trossachs, along with several other ranges of hills. It was the first of the national parks of Scotland, two nati ...

. To its east,

Benmore Botanic Garden Benmore Botanic Garden (formerly known as the Younger Botanic Garden) is a large botanical garden situated in Strath Eachaig at the foot of Beinn Mhòr, on the Cowal Peninsula, in Argyll and Bute, west of Scotland. The gardens are on the west ...

makes use of the lower slopes, and includes an outdoor centre in Benmore House.

Ascents

Beinn Mhòr is most frequently and probably most easily ascended from the south, via the end of the public road into

Glen Massan A glen is a valley, typically one that is long and bounded by gently sloped concave sides, unlike a ravine, which is deep and bounded by steep slopes. The word is Goidelic in origin: ''gleann'' in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, ''glion'' in Manx. ...

. From here, there is a short hike to Glen Massan, followed by about 400 metres of ascent up forestry tracks and paths, from which the climber eventually emerges onto the open hillside. At this point, the climber returning by the same route should note the position, as there are no paths above this point and entering the forest by any other point could mean getting lost in steep and thickly forested terrain. Despite the lack of paths, the upper slopes are gentle and mostly short grass which provide easy ascent to the summit. An alternative longer route ascends from the car park of

, with a track leading up to the steep grassy slopes of A' Cruach and the secondary tops of Creachan Beag and Creachan Mòr to a wide shoulder leading to the summit of Beinn Mhòr itself.

References

* The Corbetts and Other Scottish Hills, (SMC Guide)

External links

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beinn Mhor (Cowal) Marilyns of Scotland Grahams Mountains and hills of Argyll and Bute Cowal