Blà Bheinn

Blà Bheinn is a steep-sided mountain on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands. It stands apart from the main Black Cuillin range yet shares its rugged character. The mountain reaches 929 metres and is made of gabbro, a rock that gives firm footing to climbers. A ridge called Clach Glas links it to nearby peaks like Garbh-bheinn and Sgùrr nan Each. The name comes from Old Norse and Gaelic words meaning ‘blue mountain’, though it can also suggest dark shades. The normal walking route starts from the B8083 road beside Loch Slapin. Walkers follow a burn called Allt na Dunachie into Coire Uaigneich, a quiet hollow. From there a short climb along the ridge leads to the summit where a little scrambling is needed. Other ways up include the south ridge or a longer route over the Clach Glas ridge from the north. The whole mountain lies within the Strathaird Estate, managed by the John Muir Trust since 1994. Blà Bheinn is part of the remains of an ancient volcano active about 60 million years ago. Its gabbro rock contrasts with the Red Cuillin’s different stone. Glacial action has carved steep corries and left scattered boulders across the lower slopes. The peak appears in Mary Stewart’s 1956 novel Wildfire at Midnight. Its sharp ridges and scree slopes attract both geologists and hill walkers looking for a challenging ascent.