Ben Chonzie

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Ben Chonzie

Old fenceposts near the summit of Ben Chonzie, looking across to Biorach a' Mheannain
Elevation 931 m (3054 ft)
Location Perth and Kinross, Flag of Scotland Scotland
Prominence 645 m
Parent peak Ben More
Topo map OS Landranger 51 and 52, OS Explorer 379
OS grid reference NN773308
Listing Munro, Marilyn
Translation "mossy hill" (Gaelic)

Ben Chonzie, also known as Ben-y Hone,[1] is a Scottish mountain situated eleven kilometres northwest of Crieff. It stands at 931 m (3054 ft) and is therefore listed as a Munro.[2] 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.[3] It is most often climbed from Invergeldie 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 ascent, having an array of buttresses and cliffs which can be tackled by those who feel brave, or passed by on either side.[4] Mountain hares (Lepus timidus, sub species 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 landrover track that runs up the eastern aspect of the loch. Deer may be seen on the slopes to the north of the Ben.

The name is probably an anglicisation of Scottish Gaelic Beinn na Còinnich or Beinn a' Chòinnich, meaning "mossy mountain".[5]


[edit] References

  1. ^ On Ben Chonzie, real hillwalkers don't picnic, Robin Howie, The Scotsman, 19 November 2005
  2. ^ The Munros (SMC Guide), Donald Bennett et al, ISBN 0-907521-13-4
  3. ^ "...having a reputation of being one of the dullest Munros in the land" The Munros - Scotland's Highest Mountains, Cameron McNeish, ISBN 0-947778-50-8
  4. ^ The Southern Highlands (SMC Guide), Donald Bennett et al, ISBN 0-907521-34-7
  5. ^ Scottish Hill and Mountain Names, Peter Drummond, ISBN 0-907521-30-4

Coordinates: 56.453929° N 3.990294° W