The Mountains of Scotland
The Mountains of Scotland
Scotland can be divided in to the Highlands and Lowlands along the Highland Boundary Fault. The Highlands contain the country’s main mountain ranges. Scotland is usually divided in to three parts namely the Highlands & Islands, the Central Lowlands, and the Southern Uplands. Ben Nevis is the highest peak at 4265 feet and is part of the Grampian mountain range which takes up nearly half of Scotland’s land area including the Caingorms. Some of the most spectacular mountains occur in the northwest highlands. Especially on Skye, the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The Cuillins in particular are considered some of the best mountain scenery in the country.
The Mountains of Scotland
The mountain peaks above 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) in height are known as Munros.
Which are especially popular with mountaineers.
The Central Lowlands
To the south of the Highlands lie the Central Lowlands which also contain ranges of hills though at a lower level than those in the Highlands. The Central Lowlands are a rift valley between the Highland Boundary Fault and the Southern Uplands. These ranges of hills include the Sidlaw Hills to the north of Dundee, the Ochill Hills near Stirling and the Campsie Fells to the North of Glasgow.
The Southern Uplands
The third part is known as the Southern Uplands which run across southern Scotland from Galloway to the Borders. These also contain ranges of hills including the Galloway, Pentland, Cheviot and the Lammermuir Hills.
The ten highest mountains in Scotland are
- Ben Nevis 1344 m (4409 feet)
- Ben Macdui 1309 m (4295 feet)
- Braeriach 1296 m (4252 feet)
- Cairn Toul 1291 m (4236 feet)
- Sgor an Lochain Uaine 1258 m (4127 feet)
- Cairn Gorm 1244 m (4081 feet)
- Aonach Beag 1234 m (4049 feet)
- Aonach Mòr 1221 m (4006 feet)
- Càrn Mòr Dearg 1220 m (4003 feet)
- Ben Lawers 1214 m (3983 feet)