Gaor Bheinn

Gaor Bheinn, also called Gulvain, is a mountain in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It stands in Lochaber, south of Loch Arkaig and north of the road west of Fort William. The mountain is made of banded granite and looks like the letter Y, with two summits connected by a ridge running from northeast to southwest. The northern top is six metres higher than the southern one. Steep slopes fall away on either side, and crags drop at both ends. The name comes from the Gaelic Gadhail Bheinn, meaning ‘mountain of the hunting dogs’. Some say it may instead come from Gaothail Bheinn or Gaothar Bheinn, meaning ‘windy mountain’. The south ridge path is really a stream bed, so in wet weather an easier but longer route starts from Na Socachan. Walkers then follow Allt a Choire Reidh towards Gualann nan Osna and climb the south top’s north-west ridge. The view from the summit takes in the surrounding glens and lochs. On clear days Ben Nevis and other nearby peaks appear on the horizon. The rocky ridges and steep slopes offer scrambling challenges for experienced hillwalkers. The mountain’s shape and granite crags make it a distinctive landmark in the area. Its Gaelic name and wild setting add to its appeal for those who enjoy remote Highland scenery.