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Benbain

Hill, Mountain in Ayrshire

Scotland

Benbain

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! Credit: Mary and Angus Hogg

Benbain is a prominent hill located in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated within the Southern Uplands, approximately 10 miles southeast of the town of Ayr. With an elevation of 1,320 feet (402 meters), Benbain offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The hill is characterized by its distinct conical shape, covered in heather and grasses that change colors throughout the seasons. It is known for its rugged terrain, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers and hillwalkers seeking a challenging yet rewarding experience.

The ascent to the summit of Benbain takes approximately two hours, depending on the chosen route. The most popular approach is from the southeast, beginning at the village of Patna. From there, a well-marked path leads climbers through open moorland, crossing small streams and occasionally passing by scattered boulders.

Upon reaching the summit, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, one can see as far as the Isle of Arran to the west and the Galloway Hills to the south. These vistas attract photographers and nature enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the hill.

Benbain is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The hill provides a habitat for various bird species, including red grouse and peregrine falcons, as well as mammals such as red deer and mountain hares.

Overall, Benbain in Ayrshire offers a challenging but rewarding hillwalking experience with stunning views and an opportunity to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside.

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Benbain Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.354751/-4.3598241 or Grid Reference NS5009. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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.
Forest track near Benbain The track that climbs up the hill continues for about 4 Km. The route on the left ends abruptly at the old Pennyvenie open-cast site.
Forest track near Benbain
The track that climbs up the hill continues for about 4 Km. The route on the left ends abruptly at the old Pennyvenie open-cast site.
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.
Upper Beoch Road This private road leads to Upper Beoch Farm, now the premises of Emmer Ltd., manufacturers of specialist plastic containers.
Upper Beoch Road
This private road leads to Upper Beoch Farm, now the premises of Emmer Ltd., manufacturers of specialist plastic containers.
Beoch Lane view The forest planting stopped above the level of this low-lying area occupied by Beoch Lane.
Beoch Lane view
The forest planting stopped above the level of this low-lying area occupied by Beoch Lane.
Forest edge The forest stretches downhill to Beoch Lane.
Forest edge
The forest stretches downhill to Beoch Lane.
Forest track for Rig Hill This is one of the forest access tracks that lead to Rig Hill. A lot of recent clear-felling has taken place in this area.
Forest track for Rig Hill
This is one of the forest access tracks that lead to Rig Hill. A lot of recent clear-felling has taken place in this area.
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Benbain is located at Grid Ref: NS5009 (Lat: 55.354751, Lng: -4.3598241)

Unitary Authority: East Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire

What 3 Words

///typhoon.cashiers.proofs. Near Dalmellington, East Ayrshire

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Benbain

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.354751,-4.3598241
Beoch Coal Mine No4
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 55.3544005/-4.3528186
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: tower
Lat/Long: 55.3587817/-4.3568436
OpenStreetMap
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Power: tower
Lat/Long: 55.356668/-4.353432
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Glenmuck Craig Ayrshire
An Dùn Inverness-shire

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