Beinn a' Bheithir
A Scottish mountain with two Munro summits and a dragon legend.
Beinn a' Bheithir (Scottish Gaelic for 'mountain of the beast' / 'mountain of the thunderbolt') is a mountain south of Ballachulish and Loch Leven in the Scottish Highlands. It has two Munro summits: Sgorr Dhearg (Red Peak) at 1,024 m and Sgorr Dhonuill (Donald's Peak) at 1,001 m. The mountain forms a horseshoe shape, with ridges pointing north enclosing the corrie of Gleann a' Chaolais, and its lower slopes are cloaked in conifer plantations.
- Elevation
- 1,024 m (3,360 ft) at Sgorr Dhearg; 1,001 m (3,284 ft) at Sgorr Dhonuill
- Location
- South of Ballachulish and Loch Leven, Scottish Highlands
- Type
- Mountain with two Munro summits
- Gaelic name meaning
- Mountain of the beast / mountain of the thunderbolt
- Notable feature
- Horseshoe shape enclosing Gleann a' Chaolais
Lore & Background
Beinn a' Bheithir is associated with a folktale about a dragon that took shelter in Corrie Liath, a hollow in the mountain's face above Ballachulish Pier. The dragon terrorized the district, leaping down to tear travellers to pieces. Charles, the Skipper, destroyed it by anchoring his vessel offshore and building a bridge of empty barrels lashed together and bristling with iron spikes. He kindled a fire on board and placed flesh on the embers; the dragon descended to the shore, tried to cross the barrels, was torn by the spikes, and died at the end of the bridge.
Reader's Guide
Beinn a' Bheithir is significant as a prominent Highland mountain offering multiple climbing routes, including through Gleann a' Chaolais to the bealach between its two Munro summits, or from Glen Duror. Its name and folklore—centered on a dragon and its whelp—add cultural depth. The legend recounts that after the old dragon's death, her whelp grew into a full-grown dragon whose brood was burned in a corn stack; the mother dragon then lashed herself to death on a rock known as the Dragon's Rock, on which Beinn Bheithir House later stood. This tale, reported in 1910 and 1923, preserves the mountain's traditional name as Ben Vair, 'hill of the dragon.' The mountain's horseshoe shape and forested slopes make it a distinctive landmark in the Glencoe area.
Did You Know?
- Beinn a' Bheithir has two Munro summits: Sgorr Dhearg at 1,024 m and Sgorr Dhonuill at 1,001 m.
- The mountain's name in Scottish Gaelic means 'mountain of the beast' or 'mountain of the thunderbolt'.
- A folktale tells of a dragon that lived in Corrie Liath and was killed by Charles the Skipper using a bridge of spiked barrels.
- The Dragon's Rock, at the foot of the mountain, is where the dragon reportedly lashed herself to death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gaelic name Beinn a' Bheithir mean?
The name translates to 'mountain of the beast' or 'mountain of the thunderbolt,' which is the linguistic root of its folklore identity in Highland tradition.
Where is Beinn a' Bheithir located?
It rises south of Ballachulish and Loch Leven in the Scottish Highlands, with its lower slopes draped in conifer plantations.
What are Beinn a' Bheithir's two Munro summits?
The mountain carries two recognized Munros: Sgorr Dhearg (Red Peak) at 1,024 metres and Sgorr Dhonuill (Donald's Peak) at 1,001 metres.
What is the distinctive shape of Beinn a' Bheithir?
The peak forms a horseshoe, with its ridges sweeping north to enclose the corrie known as Gleann a' Chaolais.
What folklore or legend is tied to Beinn a' Bheithir?
The mountain's very name invokes a beast or thunderbolt, and local Highland tradition links the peak to a dragon legend, cementing its place in Scottish folklore.
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