Blaven

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Blaven
Inverness-shire
Blaven geograph.jpg
Skye
Summit: 3,045 feet NG529217

Blaven, also known by its Gaelic name Blà Bheinn, is a mountain on the Isle of Skye, Inverness-shire, which reaches a height of 3,045 feet at its summit, and so it qualifies as a Munro.

Blaven is usually regarded as an outlier to the mighty Black Cuillin, and is the only mountain of the island over 3,000 feet outside the main group of the Cuillin.

Overview

The mountain 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; the Old Norse word blá refers to the colours blue-black and black; in Modern Norwegian blå just means "blue".

Blaven stands in the Strathaird Estate, owned and managed since 1994 by the John Muir Trust.

Ascent

The normal route of ascent for walkers is from the east. A path leaves the B8083 on the shores of Loch Slapin about 2½ miles after the village of Torrin. The path follows a burn, the Allt na Dunachie, into the corrie named 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.[1]

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.

Outside links

References

  1. Fabian, D.J. (1989). The islands of Scotland including Skye. Scottish Mountaineering Trust. ISBN 0-907521-23-1. 

Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 17 - The Islands

Am BasteirBen MoreBlavenBruach na FritheInaccessible PinnacleSgùrr a' GhreadaidhSgùrr a' MhadaidhSgùrr AlasdairSgùrr Dubh MòrSgùrr MhicChoinnichSgurr na BanachdichSgùrr nan EagSgùrr nan Gillean