Beinn nan Aighenan

Beinn nan Aighenan is a 960-metre Munro and Marilyn in the remote Scottish Highlands. Its Gaelic name means ‘hill of the hinds’, and it stands apart from other peaks in Argyll and Bute. The mountain rises above Glen Kinglass, separated from Loch Etive by a high ridge that includes Ben Starav. To the east a low watershed links the glen to the Abhainn Shira valley, while to the west a 600-metre bealach connects it to the Ben Starav–Glas Bheinn Mhòr ridge. The northern flanks are rugged with cliffs and broken rock, whereas the rest of the slopes are broad grassy hillsides. Its isolation means long approaches are needed to reach the summit. Walkers usually combine the climb with nearby Corbetts or other Munros, starting from the old farm at Coileitir in Glen Etive. The shortest route follows the Allt nam Meirleach burn up to the bealach between Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhòr, then turns south-east over another col to the northern ridge. A southern route is possible but requires an overnight camp in the Abhainn Shira valley or a long trek from Taynuilt via Loch Etive and the Bothy Narrachan. On the summit a simple cairn marks the highest point, with views across Rannoch Moor and the surrounding ranges. The rocky northern corrie holds small lochans fed by melting snow, while the grassy southern slopes roll down to Glen Kinglass. The silence and scale of the landscape reward those who make the journey, with few other walkers sharing the view.