Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. It is situated in the west of Scotland, close to the town of Fort William. This imposing colossus is one of 284 Munros (mountains in Scotland that reach an elevation of 3,000 feet (914.4 m) or more).

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Ben Nevis is somewhat infamous for its inclement weather. The summit boasts the following statistics:

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• 355 days a year cloud-covered, on average.
• 261 full gales per year, on average.
• 4,350 mm of rainfall per year, compared to only 2,050 mm in Fort William, just a few miles away.

The draw of the highest peak in the British Isles attracts over 100,000 ascents a year. A significant number of these visitors have little experience of mountains, and many are caught out each year by the quickly changing weather. Between 1990 and 1995 alone there were 13 fatalities on the mountain. (Eight of these were due to falls while rock climbing.)

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The origin of the name Ben Nevis (pronounced ) is unclear. The word ben is certainly from beann, the Gaelic word for "peak", and Ben Nevis is sometimes referred to as 'The Ben'. However several possibilities for the meaning of nevis have been suggested. This include 'venomous', 'burst' or 'flow' (from neb) and 'brow of keen air' (from neamh meaning 'keeness of air' and bhathais meaning 'brow'). Finally a locally popular suggestion is that the name derives from naomh meaning 'heaven', though this etymology is rejected by linguists.

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Ben Nevis is one of three British mountains climbed as part of the (National) Three Peaks Challenge.

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Mountain: A mountain is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. A mountain is generally much higher and steeper than a hill, but there is considerable overlap, and usage often depends on local custom. Some authorities define a mountain as a peak with a topographic prominence ...

British Isles: :For an explanation of often confusing terms like (Great) Britain, United Kingdom and England see also British Isles (terminology)....

Scotland: :For other uses, see Scotland (disambiguation). See also British Isles (terminology)....




Ben Nevis related Images and Photos (experimental)

Ben Nevis Plate XII from "Scenery of the Grampian Mountains " Exhibited 1811 Published 1819	Corpach Lighthouse on Loch Eil with Ben Nevis and Fort William in the Background Highland Region	Ben E. King	Ben 10
Ben Lee: Ripe	Ben Lee: Ripe	Ben Blue	Ben Casey
Ben Cross	Ben Sheets	Ben Murphy	Ben Gordon