Beinn Dearg

Beinn Dearg is a Munro and Marilyn mountain standing 1 008 m high in the Grampian Mountains of Perth and Kinross. Its Gaelic name means ‘red mountain’, and it rises above wide moorlands in the western Forest of Atholl. The peak sits between Glen Bruar to the west and Gleann Diridh, a side valley of Glen Tilt, to the east. The mountain’s broad pink-granite dome contrasts with the surrounding peat bogs and heather moors. The summit ridge runs roughly north-north-east to south-south-west, with the highest point in the southern section. To the north and north-east two lower tops stand close by: Beinn Gharbh at 932 m and Elrig ’ic an Toisich at 885 m. The northern slopes drop gently into the moorland while the western and eastern flanks are steeper and rockier. Walkers usually start from Blair Atholl and choose between two main routes. One follows Glen Bruar, crosses the south flank of Beinn Losgarnaich and then ascends the western face of Beinn Dearg. The other leaves from Gleann Diridh, climbs Meall Dubh nan Dearcag and follows the south-west ridge to the summit. Both approaches cross open moor and rough ground before reaching the rocky top.