Beinn na Caillich (Red Hills) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beinn na Caillich |
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Beinn na Caillich and Goir a' Bhlàir from Broadford
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 732 m (2,402 ft) |
| Prominence | 696 m (2,283 ft) |
| Listing | Graham, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Hill of the Old Woman |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
 Beinn na Caillich
Location in Isle of Skye
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| Parent range | Red Hills |
| OS grid | NG601233 |
Beinn na Caillich is a mountain located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It stands 732 metres (about 2,400 feet) tall. This mountain is part of a group known as the Red Hills, which are also called the Red Cuillin. Its name comes from a Scottish Gaelic phrase meaning "Hill of the Old Woman." Many local people simply call it "The Beinn."
What is Beinn na Caillich?
Beinn na Caillich is a well-known landmark near the village of Broadford. It is one of the "Grahams," which is a list of mountains in Scotland that are between 600 and 762 metres high. It is also a "Marilyn," meaning it has a drop of at least 150 metres on all sides.
Legends of the Mountain
At the very top of Beinn na Caillich, there is a very large pile of stones called a cairn. People say this cairn marks the burial place of a Norwegian princess named Saucy Mary. She used to live in Castle Moil, which is in a nearby village called Kyleakin.
The legend says that Princess Mary wanted to be buried on top of the mountain. This way, she could always face the land where she was born. Another story suggests the monument was built for a "gigantic woman" from ancient times.
A Special Climb
In 2004, a local man from Broadford named Alan Cope did something amazing. He climbed Beinn na Caillich ten times in a single day! He started his climbs early in the morning on July 15th and finished by late evening.
By climbing up and down ten times, he covered a total distance almost equal to climbing Mount Everest. His incredible effort helped to raise more than £2,000 for a group called Broadford 2000. This money was used to improve fun places for young people in South Skye. For a while, you could even see his name spelled out in stones at the mountain's summit.
History of the Area
On the eastern side of Beinn na Caillich, there is a place called Goir a' Bhlàir. This name means "the field of battle" in Scottish Gaelic. It is believed that a very important battle took place here long ago.
This battle was a big victory for the Gaelic Clan Mackinnon. They fought against the Norsemen, who were people from Norway. This event was a key moment in the history of the local clans.
