Ben More (Crianlarich)

Ben More ( gd, Beinn Mhòr, "the great mountain") is a mountain in the Breadalbane region of the southern Scottish Highlands, near Crianlarich. Rising to , it is a Munro and is the highest of the so-called Crianlarich Hills to the south-east of the village. There is no higher land in the British Isles south of Ben More. It is separated from () by the ', " col between two mountains". It is the highest peak in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Ben More's north side contains a long-lasting snow patch, which – uniquely in the Southern Highlands – is named on a 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map, and is called the ' (crooked wreath), on account of the shape it forms in late spring/early summer. This patch frequently lasts until well into June and sometimes July. The similar name ' appears as a summit near Lochnagar.

Climbing

The simplest ascent starts from Benmore Farm on the A85. Initially, one should follow the path leading up Benmore Burn, before leaving this path and heading up the northwest ridge of Ben More. The ridge is unrelentingly steep, rising in about . The northeast ridge may prove a preferable alternative, being craggier and less steep. To reach this the walker should follow the burn of , before striking for the ridge of once clear of the forestry that cloaks the lower slopes of this side of Ben More. This route is around long.

Ben More is often climbed in conjunction with by descending to the and then on to the second peak. Descent may be made from the col direct to Benmore Burn.

In the event of an incident, Killin Mountain Rescue Team are on duty.

A webcam located at the eastern edge of Crianlarich captures Ben More. It provides updates every 10 minutes. See http://www.benmorewebcam.co.uk

Air crashes

On 19 January 1973, a Vickers Viscount of British European Airways took off from Glasgow International Airport at about 14:20 on a test flight to be conducted at Flight Level (FL) 40; in the conditions prevailing at the time FL40 was equivalent to about . At about 14:32 the aircraft flew into Ben More about northeast and below the summit while flying in a westerly direction. The two pilots and two passengers on board were killed in the accident. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found that the aircraft struck Ben More whilst flying over snow-covered high terrain in marginal visual meteorological conditions and said that "Failure to maintain a safe altitude and insufficient attention to navigational procedures were contributory factors".AAIB website access page for ''AAIB Report No 4/1974, Viscount 802, G-AOHI''. Report on the accident at Ben More, Perthshire, Scotland, on 19 January 1973
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On 12 May 2012, two men were killed when their microlight aircraft crashed into the mountain at about 12:00 midday."Stirlingshire mountain microlight crash kills two men"
''BBC News'', 13 May 2012

See also

* List of Munro mountains
* Mountains and hills of Scotland

References

External links

* Ben More (Crianlarich) is at coordinates

Computer generated summit panorama

{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 1973

Munros
Marilyns of Scotland
Mountains and hills of the Southern Highlands
Mountains and hills of Stirling (council area)
1973 in Scotland
One-thousanders of the British Isles
Aviation accidents and incidents locations in Scotland