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Benbeoch

Hill, Mountain in Ayrshire

Scotland

Benbeoch

Old coal bing These old spoil heaps often become prominent features of the ex-mining landscape, particularly from the days before land restoration was required.
Old coal bing Credit: Mary and Angus Hogg

Benbeoch is a prominent hill located in the region of Ayrshire, Scotland. It stands at an impressive height of 645 meters (2,116 feet) above sea level, making it one of the notable peaks in the area. Situated within the Galloway Forest Park, it is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The hill is characterized by its distinctive shape and rugged terrain, attracting hikers and climbers looking for a challenging ascent. Its slopes are covered in a mixture of grass, heather, and scattered patches of woodland, creating a diverse and picturesque landscape. From the summit, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Galloway Hills and the Firth of Clyde.

Benbeoch is also renowned for its rich biodiversity. The hill is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including mountain hares, red deer, and a range of birdlife, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Additionally, the area surrounding Benbeoch is dotted with several walking trails and footpaths, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the hill and its surroundings at their own pace.

Due to its accessibility and natural beauty, Benbeoch attracts visitors throughout the year, with each season offering a unique experience. Whether one is seeking a challenging hike, a serene escape into nature, or simply a chance to admire the stunning Scottish landscape, Benbeoch is a destination that should not be missed.

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Benbeoch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.345602/-4.3741062 or Grid Reference NS4908. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old coal bing These old spoil heaps often become prominent features of the ex-mining landscape, particularly from the days before land restoration was required.
Old coal bing
These old spoil heaps often become prominent features of the ex-mining landscape, particularly from the days before land restoration was required.
You ain’t seen me, right! On returning to the access road for Pennyvenie Colliery, I spotted this toad crossing the tarmac. I managed to grab a couple of shots then left him (or her?) to seek shelter from the full sunshine and drying wind.
You ain’t seen me, right!
On returning to the access road for Pennyvenie Colliery, I spotted this toad crossing the tarmac. I managed to grab a couple of shots then left him (or her?) to seek shelter from the full sunshine and drying wind.
A new loch at Pennyvenie A closer look at the huge new lake at the Pennyvenie open-cast site. It’s as close as you can get for obvious safety reasons. Falling into this one would indeed be highly dangerous. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1580590">NS5008 : Opencast lake</a> shows the lake in November 2009 when it wasn’t marked on the OS maps. From 1997, planning consent for open-cast sites included the requirement to restore the land after mining operations stopped. When Scottish Coal went into liquidation in 2013, the Bond value failed to meet the restoration costs and, by 2018, the extensive higher-level sites were still in the same condition - no action at all. It took enforcement action by East Ayrshire Council in 2018 to make the sites safe.
A new loch at Pennyvenie
A closer look at the huge new lake at the Pennyvenie open-cast site. It’s as close as you can get for obvious safety reasons. Falling into this one would indeed be highly dangerous. NS5008 : Opencast lake shows the lake in November 2009 when it wasn’t marked on the OS maps. From 1997, planning consent for open-cast sites included the requirement to restore the land after mining operations stopped. When Scottish Coal went into liquidation in 2013, the Bond value failed to meet the restoration costs and, by 2018, the extensive higher-level sites were still in the same condition - no action at all. It took enforcement action by East Ayrshire Council in 2018 to make the sites safe.
Danger – deep water A huge lake has been created at the Pennyvenie open-cast site. It’s well fenced-off with plenty warning signs to keep people away. It’s visible only if you stand on the piled-up rocks along the access road. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4191846">NS5008 : Former opencast site east of Benbeoch</a> views the lake from above from the slopes of Benbeoch in 2014. From 1997, planning consent for open-cast sites included the requirement to restore the land after mining operations stopped. When Scottish Coal went into liquidation in 2013, the Bond value failed to meet the restoration costs and, by 2018, the extensive higher-level sites were still in the same condition - no action at all. It took enforcement action by East Ayrshire Council in 2018 to make the sites safe.
Danger – deep water
A huge lake has been created at the Pennyvenie open-cast site. It’s well fenced-off with plenty warning signs to keep people away. It’s visible only if you stand on the piled-up rocks along the access road. NS5008 : Former opencast site east of Benbeoch views the lake from above from the slopes of Benbeoch in 2014. From 1997, planning consent for open-cast sites included the requirement to restore the land after mining operations stopped. When Scottish Coal went into liquidation in 2013, the Bond value failed to meet the restoration costs and, by 2018, the extensive higher-level sites were still in the same condition - no action at all. It took enforcement action by East Ayrshire Council in 2018 to make the sites safe.
Old open-cast workings This part of the Pennyvenie open-cast mine has been smoothed out. This was where the mining gave way to forest. A huge lake lies beyond the fence on the right.
Old open-cast workings
This part of the Pennyvenie open-cast mine has been smoothed out. This was where the mining gave way to forest. A huge lake lies beyond the fence on the right.
Towards Benbeoch Craig Looking towards Benbeoch Craig from the edge of the old Pennyvenie open-cast workings on a bright late-March morning.
Towards Benbeoch Craig
Looking towards Benbeoch Craig from the edge of the old Pennyvenie open-cast workings on a bright late-March morning.
Towards Benbeoch Craig from Pennyvenie A late-March view from the old open-cast mine at Pennyvenie Colliery looking towards Benbeoch Craig.
Towards Benbeoch Craig from Pennyvenie
A late-March view from the old open-cast mine at Pennyvenie Colliery looking towards Benbeoch Craig.
At Pennyvenie Heaped up black rock at the old open-cast site.
At Pennyvenie
Heaped up black rock at the old open-cast site.
Remains of Pennyvenie Colliery It's now a black moonscape scene after the closure of the open-cast colliery. When we used coal in the early 1980s, Pennyvenie Splint was considered to be the best domestic low-smoke fuel around. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2723412">NS4908 : North-eastern slope of Benbeoch</a> viewed from the NE slope of Benbeoch shows what this place was like in October 2007.
Remains of Pennyvenie Colliery
It's now a black moonscape scene after the closure of the open-cast colliery. When we used coal in the early 1980s, Pennyvenie Splint was considered to be the best domestic low-smoke fuel around. NS4908 : North-eastern slope of Benbeoch viewed from the NE slope of Benbeoch shows what this place was like in October 2007.
Former colliery base The OS maps still show buildings on this site but there's nothing left now. The high ground on the left has been regraded and left for nature to take its course. The high ground on the right, in the background, wasn't part of the collieries and the clear-felled forest there is being replanted.
Former colliery base
The OS maps still show buildings on this site but there's nothing left now. The high ground on the left has been regraded and left for nature to take its course. The high ground on the right, in the background, wasn't part of the collieries and the clear-felled forest there is being replanted.
Into the Pennyvenie Colliery site The lower parts of the old colliery site have been regraded and partly restored. Brockwell Energy Ltd has been granted planning consent for a wind farm development.
Into the Pennyvenie Colliery site
The lower parts of the old colliery site have been regraded and partly restored. Brockwell Energy Ltd has been granted planning consent for a wind farm development.
Old open-cast site near Benbain This area is fenced off with plenty safety warning signs.
Old open-cast site near Benbain
This area is fenced off with plenty safety warning signs.
Forest power line The power line changes direction here, partly to avoid the old open-cast site, partly to take advantage of the existing forest track for access.
Forest power line
The power line changes direction here, partly to avoid the old open-cast site, partly to take advantage of the existing forest track for access.
Power line through the forest The line connects a new sub-station with the larger Coylton Sub-station.
Power line through the forest
The line connects a new sub-station with the larger Coylton Sub-station.
Old slag heaps by the side of the B741 These old slag heaps, or spoil tips, stand as testament to the vast mining that once dominated this area.
Old slag heaps by the side of the B741
These old slag heaps, or spoil tips, stand as testament to the vast mining that once dominated this area.
Clawfin seen from the B741
Clawfin seen from the B741
The entrance to Clawfin
The entrance to Clawfin
Sign at the entrance to Pennyvenie Opencast Coal Site
Sign at the entrance to Pennyvenie Opencast Coal Site
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Benbeoch is located at Grid Ref: NS4908 (Lat: 55.345602, Lng: -4.3741062)

Unitary Authority: East Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire

What 3 Words

///cabin.laugh.ranch. Near Dalmellington, East Ayrshire

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Benbeoch

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.345602,-4.3741062
Ben Beoch
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 55.3456897/-4.3739973
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Height: 10
Natural: cliff
Lat/Long: 55.3442711/-4.3730534
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Height: 3
Natural: cliff
Lat/Long: 55.3446493/-4.3741263
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Braehead Ayrshire
Meall na Speireig Ross-shire

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