Cnoc a' Rainich

Hill, Mountain in Ross-shire

Scotland

Cnoc a' Rainich

Traigh Mhòr Beach Traigh Mhòr Beach, Isle of Lewis, looking north towards cliffs round to Garry Beach
Traigh Mhòr Beach Credit: Adam Forsyth

Cnoc a' Rainich is a prominent hill located in Ross-shire, Scotland. It is situated just north of the village of Aultbea, on the western coast of the Scottish Highlands. Rising to an elevation of approximately 404 meters (1325 feet), it offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area.

The hill is characterized by its distinctive shape, with a steep and rocky eastern face, while the western side slopes more gradually. Cnoc a' Rainich is covered in heather and grasses, typical of the Scottish countryside. The terrain is fairly rugged, with rocky outcrops and scattered boulders adding to its natural charm.

Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Cnoc a' Rainich for its accessibility and rewarding views. A well-defined footpath leads from Aultbea, offering a relatively easy ascent to the summit. From the top, one can enjoy breathtaking vistas of Loch Ewe, the Isle of Ewe, and the surrounding mountains.

The area around Cnoc a' Rainich is also rich in history and wildlife. Aultbea, the nearest settlement, has a strong fishing heritage, and remnants of old buildings can be found along the coast. The hill itself is home to various bird species, including eagles and peregrine falcons, while the surrounding moorland supports a diverse range of plant and animal life.

Overall, Cnoc a' Rainich is a picturesque and accessible hill in Ross-shire, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and history of the Scottish Highlands.

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Cnoc a' Rainich Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.371326/-6.2207066 or Grid Reference NB5350. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Traigh Mhòr Beach Traigh Mhòr Beach, Isle of Lewis, looking north towards cliffs round to Garry Beach
Traigh Mhòr Beach
Traigh Mhòr Beach, Isle of Lewis, looking north towards cliffs round to Garry Beach
Lewis Coastal path
Lewis Coastal path
The real bridge to nowhere Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
The real bridge to nowhere
Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
A secret bothy Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
A secret bothy
Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches
The coast of Lewis
The coast of Lewis
Lewis coastline
Lewis coastline
Old building on Lewis
Old building on Lewis
A private beach
A private beach
Sea stacks on Tràigh Ghearadha
Sea stacks on Tràigh Ghearadha
Waves at Traigh Mhòr beach, Isle of Lewis The waves at Traigh Mhòr beach, Isle of Lewis seen breaking as they reach the shore of the Western Isles
Waves at Traigh Mhòr beach, Isle of Lewis
The waves at Traigh Mhòr beach, Isle of Lewis seen breaking as they reach the shore of the Western Isles
Tràigh Ghearadha beach
Tràigh Ghearadha beach
Traigh Mhor, North Tolsta - northern end of beach
Traigh Mhor, North Tolsta - northern end of beach
Abhainn Ghearadha (Garry River) Abhainn Ghearadha drains a gentle boggy glen on to Tràigh Ghearadha (Garry Beach). This is the view of the river from Lord Leverhulme's <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2423596">NB5350 : A Bridge to Nowhere</a>.
Abhainn Ghearadha (Garry River)
Abhainn Ghearadha drains a gentle boggy glen on to Tràigh Ghearadha (Garry Beach). This is the view of the river from Lord Leverhulme's NB5350 : A Bridge to Nowhere.
Abandoned Vehicle This looks like the remains of one of those little 4wd things with roll-over bars. Presumably it expired or got irrevocably stuck in the bog here on Cnocan Ruairidh, and, not being visible from the public road, has escaped the attention of the council's collectors of rusting metal.
Abandoned Vehicle
This looks like the remains of one of those little 4wd things with roll-over bars. Presumably it expired or got irrevocably stuck in the bog here on Cnocan Ruairidh, and, not being visible from the public road, has escaped the attention of the council's collectors of rusting metal.
Nameless Glen The map doesn't name this rather featureless glen, though it does manage to name the river that drains it as Abhainn Ghearadha (River Garry).
Nameless Glen
The map doesn't name this rather featureless glen, though it does manage to name the river that drains it as Abhainn Ghearadha (River Garry).
Bella Chnoc Looking across the glen of the Abhiann Ghearadha from Cnocan Ruairidh. The slope on the far side of the glen is named as Bella Chnoc on the 1:25,000 map. This is a very odd-looking name because Gaelic, at least according to my dictionary, has no words beginning 'b' then 'e' then a consonant.
Bella Chnoc
Looking across the glen of the Abhiann Ghearadha from Cnocan Ruairidh. The slope on the far side of the glen is named as Bella Chnoc on the 1:25,000 map. This is a very odd-looking name because Gaelic, at least according to my dictionary, has no words beginning 'b' then 'e' then a consonant.
Tràigh Ghearadha (Garry Beach) This is one of the most beautiful of the beaches on the east coast of Lewis. The car park at lower right is the very end of the public road, and rather to my surprise the bus runs all the way to here. The grid line actually bisects the beach.
Tràigh Ghearadha (Garry Beach)
This is one of the most beautiful of the beaches on the east coast of Lewis. The car park at lower right is the very end of the public road, and rather to my surprise the bus runs all the way to here. The grid line actually bisects the beach.
A Bridge to Nowhere Lord Leverhulme's plan was to build a road all the way up the east coast of Lewis, but the final stretch, from Tràigh Ghearadha to Sgiogarstaigh near the Butt of Lewis, was never completed. This bridge was built to carry the road across the Abhainn Ghearadha, and it is still possible to drive over it, but no further, with an ordinary car.
A Bridge to Nowhere
Lord Leverhulme's plan was to build a road all the way up the east coast of Lewis, but the final stretch, from Tràigh Ghearadha to Sgiogarstaigh near the Butt of Lewis, was never completed. This bridge was built to carry the road across the Abhainn Ghearadha, and it is still possible to drive over it, but no further, with an ordinary car.
Show me another place!

Cnoc a' Rainich is located at Grid Ref: NB5350 (Lat: 58.371326, Lng: -6.2207066)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///design.conspire.deferring. Near North Tolsta, Na h-Eileanan Siar

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.371326,-6.2207066
Bridge to nowhere
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 58.3701813/-6.2232589
Barrier: kissing_gate
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 58.3678981/-6.2210151
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 58.3700457/-6.2240741
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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