Ben Main

Hill, Mountain in Banffshire

Scotland

Ben Main

Winter colours by the upper River Fiddich Auchindoun Castle in the distance.
Winter colours by the upper River Fiddich Credit: Alan Reid

Ben Main is a prominent hill located in Banffshire, Scotland. It forms part of the Grampian Mountains, a range renowned for its rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes. Rising to a height of approximately 713 meters (2,339 feet), Ben Main offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, making it a popular destination for hikers, mountaineers, and nature enthusiasts.

This hill is characterized by its steep slopes and rocky terrain, which provides a challenging yet rewarding experience for those who venture to its summit. The ascent to the top of Ben Main is not for the faint-hearted, requiring a moderate level of fitness and navigational skills. However, the efforts are well worth it, as on clear days, visitors are treated to awe-inspiring vistas stretching across the Cairngorms National Park, the Moray Firth, and even as far as the North Sea.

Ben Main is also notable for its diverse flora and fauna, with a variety of plant species thriving in its lower slopes, while hardy mountain plants can be found closer to the summit. This biodiversity contributes to the hill's appeal, attracting both botany enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.

Visitors to Ben Main are advised to come prepared with appropriate clothing, footwear, and navigational equipment, as weather conditions can change rapidly throughout the day, particularly at higher altitudes. The hill is accessible via several well-marked trails, which provide different levels of difficulty to cater to a range of abilities.

In conclusion, Ben Main is a stunning hill in Banffshire, Scotland, offering a challenging yet rewarding outdoor experience. Its commanding views, diverse flora, and fauna, as well as its proximity to other natural attractions in the area, make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to explore the beauty of the Grampian Mountains.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Ben Main Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.408736/-3.0824302 or Grid Reference NJ3535. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Winter colours by the upper River Fiddich Auchindoun Castle in the distance.
Winter colours by the upper River Fiddich
Auchindoun Castle in the distance.
Road up Glen Fiddich
Road up Glen Fiddich
A914 at Bridgehaugh
A914 at Bridgehaugh
Access road in Glenfiddich Forest
Access road in Glenfiddich Forest
Disused quarry at Glacks of Balloch
Disused quarry at Glacks of Balloch
Glen Fiddich,  near Laggan Auchinduin Castle <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7194861" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7194861">Link</a> in the distance.
Glen Fiddich, near Laggan
Auchinduin Castle Link in the distance.
Auchinduin Castle Telephoto view from a bit higher up Glen Fiddich. Late 15th century medieval castle within the perimeter of a prehistoric hill fort. The Scheduling description lists just three similar sites in Scotland. The ruins consist of an L-shaped tower house within a courtyard wall.

Recent archaeological work <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/SC2935.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/SC2935.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> suggests that the older earthworks may be medieval rather than prehistoric.
Auchinduin Castle
Telephoto view from a bit higher up Glen Fiddich. Late 15th century medieval castle within the perimeter of a prehistoric hill fort. The Scheduling description lists just three similar sites in Scotland. The ruins consist of an L-shaped tower house within a courtyard wall. Recent archaeological work LinkExternal link suggests that the older earthworks may be medieval rather than prehistoric.
Crow Trap I'm not sure if the trap is actually in use.
Crow Trap
I'm not sure if the trap is actually in use.
Pheasant Pens These are new since the last time we walked here. They are sheds and pens for rearing pheasants for shooting.
Pheasant Pens
These are new since the last time we walked here. They are sheds and pens for rearing pheasants for shooting.
Pheasant Pens There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of young pheasants in these pens.
Pheasant Pens
There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of young pheasants in these pens.
Forestry road in Glenfiddich Forest
Forestry road in Glenfiddich Forest
A941 towards Dufftown
A941 towards Dufftown
Track towards Parkhead
Track towards Parkhead
Glenfiddich and Ben Main The rising slopes of Ben Main in Glenfiddich.
Glenfiddich and Ben Main
The rising slopes of Ben Main in Glenfiddich.
Ascent to Glacks of Balloch A941 over Moss of Balloch from Bridgend.
Ascent to Glacks of Balloch
A941 over Moss of Balloch from Bridgend.
Downstream River Fiddich From the A941 at Bridgehaugh.
Downstream River Fiddich
From the A941 at Bridgehaugh.
Upstream River Fiddich From the A941 at Bridgehaugh.
Upstream River Fiddich
From the A941 at Bridgehaugh.
Bend in A941 at Bridgehaugh Access to Glenfiddich Lodge on left ahead.
Bend in A941 at Bridgehaugh
Access to Glenfiddich Lodge on left ahead.
Show me another place!

Ben Main is located at Grid Ref: NJ3535 (Lat: 57.408736, Lng: -3.0824302)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///growl.hounded.podcast. Near Dufftown, Moray

Nearby Locations

Ben Main

Related Wikis

Auchindoun Castle

Auchindoun Castle is a 15th-century L-Plan tower castle located in Auchindoun near Dufftown in Moray, Scotland. == History == While there is evidence of...

River Fiddich

The River Fiddich (Scottish Gaelic: Fiodhach / Abhainn Fhiodhaich) is a right bank tributary of the River Spey in northeast Scotland. It rises on the eastern...

Dufftown distillery

Dufftown distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery in Dufftown, Moray, Scotland. Founded in 1895 as "Dufftown-Glenlivet Distillery", the distillery is currently...

Auchindoun, Moray

Auchindoun (Scottish Gaelic: Achadh an Dùin) is a rural hamlet in Moray, Scotland. It is located some 2.5 miles east of Dufftown, which describes itself...

Related Videos

Photos of Auchindoun Castle - (RV/Motorhome/Van Life Scotland)

Photos of Auchindoun Castle - (RV/Motorhome/Van Life Scotland) A one night Donder and we discovered a new to us Castle.

Auchindoun Castle Video and Drone - (RV/Motorhome/Van Life Scotland)

Auchindoun Castle Video and Drone - (RV/Motorhome/Van Life Scotland) We see the castle with a bloody history at Auchindoun ...

WE WENT THAT WAY to LOCH GARTEN and AUCHINDOUN CASTLE

WE WENT THAT WAY to LOCH GARTEN and AUCHINDOUN CASTLE We are currently on a trip so responses may be delayed.

Have you been to Ben Main?

Leave your review of Ben Main below (or comments, questions and feedback).