Beinn a' Chearcaill

Beinn a’ Chearcaill is a mountain in the Highlands of Scotland. It stands on the route between Loch Torridon and Loch Maree, a wild stretch of moorland and lochside. The summit carries a small cairn, marking the highest point. The hill is listed among the Marilyns, Grahams and HuMPs, categories used by hill-walkers to classify peaks. Several clubs keep these lists up to date on the Database of British and Irish Hills. The mountain is one of the more modest Munros, yet it draws walkers for its quiet ridge and wide views. Its slopes are covered in heather and coarse grass, typical of the north-western Highlands. The terrain is rough underfoot, so boots are needed. The nearest villages are Kinlochewe and Poolewe, both small settlements on the shores of the lochs. From the top the eye travels over the Torridon Forest to the south and the waters of Loch Maree to the north. The ridge itself is broad and grassy, offering an easy scramble without technical climbing. The mountain’s Gaelic name means ‘rocky hill of the cauldron’, hinting at the uneven ground near the summit. On clear days the peaks of Liathach and Beinn Eighe can be seen in the distance.