Ben Chonzie Explained

Ben Chonzie (Ben-y-Hone)
Other Name:Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: '''Beinn a' Chomhainn'''
Elevation M:931
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:645
Parent Peak:Ben More
Listing:Munro, Marilyn
Language:Gaelic
Pronunciation:Gaelic in Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic pronounced as /ˈpeiɲ ə ˈxɔːɲɪç/
Location:Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Range:Grampian Mountains
Grid Ref Uk:NN773308
Coordinates:56.4539°N -3.9921°W
Topo:OS Landranger 51 and 52
OS Explorer 379

Ben Chonzie or Ben-y-Hone[2] [3] (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: '''Beinn a' Chomhainn''',[3] 'mountain of the narrowness',[4] or possibly from Beinn Chòinnich, 'mossy mountain')[4] is a mountain in the Breadalbane region of the Scottish Highlands. It is eleven kilometres northwest of Crieff. It stands at and is therefore listed as a Munro.[5] It is the highest point of a large area of moorland and rounded hills between Loch Earn and Loch Tay, and with a broad, flat summit and relatively few distinguishing features, it is often regarded as one of Scotland's least interesting Munros.[6]

It is most often climbed from Invergeldie (Comrie) to the southwest; however it can also be climbed from the southeast by way of Glen Turret. The latter is longer but presents walkers with a more interesting and scenic climb, having an array of buttresses and cliffs which can be tackled by those who feel brave, or passed by on either side.[7] Mountain hares (Lepus timidus, subspecies Lepus timidus scoticus) can be seen around the plateau area if walkers are quiet and observant. There are also many other animals on the approaches to the Ben, including buzzards, other birds of prey, and frogs and newts in the pools alongside the vehicular track that runs up the eastern aspect of the loch. Deer may be seen on the slopes to the north of the Ben.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: walkhighlands Ben Chonzie . . 2013 . walkhighlands.co.uk . 15 October 2013.
  2. http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1110&id=2246522005 On Ben Chonzie, real hillwalkers don't picnic
  3. Web site: Ben Chonzie/Ben-y-Hone . Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba

    Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland

    .
  4. Drummond, Peter (1991). Scottish Hill and Mountain Names. Scottish Mountaineering Trust, p.167.
  5. The Munros (SMC Guide), Donald Bennett et al.,
  6. "...having a reputation of being one of the dullest Munros in the land" The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains, Cameron McNeish,
  7. The Southern Highlands (SMC Guide), Donald Bennett et al.,