Blà Bheinn
| Blà Bheinn | |
|---|---|
| Blaven | |
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 928 m (3,045 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 863 m (2,831 ft) Ranked 19th in British Isles |
| Parent peak | Sgurr Alasdair |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Blue mountain |
| Language of name | Norse/Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | Scottish Gaelic: [ˈplˠ̪aːveɲ] |
| Geography | |
  Blà Bheinn Location on Skye | |
| Location | Skye, Scotland |
| Parent range | Cuillin (outlier) |
| OS grid | NG530217 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 32 |
Blà Bheinn (also known as Blaven), is a mountain on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is usually regarded as an outlier to the Black Cuillin. It is mainly composed of gabbro, a rock with excellent grip for mountaineers and scramblers. The name "Blà Bheinn" is thought to mean "blue mountain", from a combination of Norse and Gaelic. Whereas blå in Modern Norwegian means "blue", the Old Norse word blá could, however, also refer to the colours blue-black and black.
The normal route of ascent for walkers is from the east. A path leaves the B8083 on the shores of Loch Slapin about 4 km after the village of Torrin. The path follows a burn, the Allt na Dunachie, into the corrie of Coire Uaigneich. From here a short steep route along the ridge leads to the summit. A small amount of scrambling is needed to reach the true top of the mountain.[2]
Alternative routes follow the south ridge, or come from the north having traversed the Clach Glas ridge which links to the Red Cuillin peaks.
The view from the summit is dominated by the Black Cuillin.
Blaven stands in the Strathaird Estate, owned and managed since 1994 by the John Muir Trust.
In Popular culture
Blaven is depicted in Mary Stewart's 1956 thriller novel Wildfire at Midnight.
| Northern Highlands (20) |    | |
|---|---|---|
| Western Highlands (20) | ||
| Central and Eastern Highlands (13) | ||
| Southern Highlands (15) | ||
| Islands (13) | ||
| Scottish Lowlands, England and Wales (13) | ||
| Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland (25) | ||
References
- ^ "Bla Bheinn". walkhighlands.co.uk. walkhighlands.co.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ Fabian, D.J. (1989). The islands of Scotland including Skye. Scottish Mountaineering Trust. ISBN 0-907521-23-1.
