Scottish Blog

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and the United Kingdom.

Ben Nevis, or The Ben as it is commonly referred to, is located in the western end of the Grampian Mountains, in the Lachaber area of Scotland. Being the highest peak in the British Isles, Ben Navis naturally attracts a large number of hikers and climbers to attempt the ascent to the top of the mountain. In fact, it is estimated that these numbers reach as high as 100,000 ascents per year. Unfortunately, this entails with it a high number of rescues, with forty one rescues and four fatalities being recorded in the year 1999.

Ben Nevis reaches a height of 1344 meters above sea level, at its highest point. Atop its peak there can be found the remains of a meteorological observatory, which was staffed from 1883 till its closure in 1903. There is also a World War II memorial, and ordnance survey triangulation station and an emergency shelter, which interestingly is counted as the highest man made structure in the United Kingdom. It is said that in ideal conditions, the view from the mountain can extend as far as one hundred and ninety kilometers.