Ben Macdui
Ben Macdui (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn MacDuibh, meaning "MacDuff's mountain") is the second-highest mountain in Scotland and all of the British Isles, after Ben Nevis, and the highest of the Cairngorm Mountains. The summit is 1,309 metres (4,295 ft) above sea level and it is classed as a Munro. Ben Macdui sits on the southwestern edge of the Cairngorm plateau, overlooking the Lairig Ghru pass to the west, and Loch Etchachan to the east. It lies on the boundary between the historic counties of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.
| Ben Macdui | |
|---|---|
| Beinn MacDuibh | |
Ben Macdui from the south | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,309 m (4,295 ft) |
| Prominence | 950 m (3,120 ft) Ranked 9th in British Isles |
| Parent peak | Ben Nevis |
| Isolation | 86.5 km (53.8 miles) |
| Listing | Marilyn, Munro, Hardy, Council top (Aberdeenshire, Moray), County top (Aberdeenshire, Banffshire) |
| Naming | |
| English translation | MacDuff's mountain |
| Pronunciation | Scottish Gaelic: [ˈpeiɲ maxk ˈt̪ɯj] |
| Geography | |
Ben Macdui Moray / Aberdeenshire, Scotland | |
| Parent range | Cairngorms |
| OS grid | NN989989 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 36, 43, Explorer OL57 |
Before the production of accurate maps of Scotland in the 19th century, it was not known for certain that Ben Nevis was the highest point in Britain, and it was often thought that Ben Macdui might be higher. Following surveys of both peaks in 1846–47, Ben Nevis was confirmed as the higher. The summit of the mountain has a direction indicator erected in 1925 by the Cairngorm Club of Aberdeen in memory of former president Alexander Copland. The indicator shows the directions of the most noteworthy mountains that can be seen from the summit in clear weather.
Snow patches have been known to persist at various locations on Ben Macdui, most notably Garbh Uisge Beag. The mountain is said to be haunted by the legendary Am Fear Liath Mòr (Big Grey Man).