Reflections of the Old Woman

Reflections of the Old Woman

Beinn na Cailleach or Hill of the Old Woman, is one of the Red Cuillin hills that sits behind Broadford on the Isle of Skye. The view here is looking over the lochan of Cill Chroisd.

’’A Graham peak located towards the centre of the Isle of Skye, in Highland Council Area, Beinn na Caillich rises to 732m (2401 feet) 2½ miles (4 km) west of Broadford. The mountain is linked to Beinn Dearg Mhor (709m / 2325 feet) by a high pass. Another Beinn na Caillich, of almost the same height, is located 11 miles (17 km) to the east.’‘

’’Beinn na Caillich (also spelt Beinn na Cailleach, and meaning the hill of the Old Woman) is 732 metres high and is a magnificent viewpoint, particularly for Broadford Bay which is almost between your feet. In 1772 noted geographer and traveller Thomas Pennant climbed the peak, the first recorded ascent of a Skye mountain. He was more impressed by the view in the opposite direction, writing ‘the prospect to the west was that of desolation itself; a savage series of rude mountains, discoloured, black and red, as if by the rage of fire. The serrated tops of Blaven affect with astonishment: and beyond them, the clustered height of Quillin.’. The mammoth cairn can be seen for miles around and is said to be the burial place of a Norwegian Princess from the time of the Viking occupation of Skye. According to legend, she wanted to feel the winds from her homeland around her grave.’‘

The primary meaning of ben is horn, hence peak. In Scotland the term in the oblique form, beinn, is extended to apply to any hill, without regard to shape, though traces of the old usage are common. The diminutive binnean always denotes a peaked hill, sometimes by no means diminutive in size. A mountain is a mountain in England, but when the climber is in Scotland it may be a beinn, a creag, or a meall, a spidean or sgor, a carn or monadh, a stuc or a torr.

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