Ben Alder

Ben Alder is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands rising to about 1148 meters, featuring a broad plateau crowned by steep cliffs. A small high-altitude lake called Lochan a' Garbh Coire sits on its summit.

Following the failure of a Jacobite rising, a clan leader found shelter on the remote slopes of this peak for nine years. This hidden location made it a refuge during a turbulent period of Scottish history.

Robert Louis Stevenson featured this mountain in his novel 'Kidnapped', where characters seek refuge in its remote surroundings. The peak holds a place in Scottish literary imagination and draws visitors interested in exploring the settings from this classic story.

Reaching this peak requires preparation since access involves covering significant distances from nearby road and rail points. Visitors should be ready for rough terrain and changeable weather conditions typical of mountain areas.

This mountain served as a reference meridian for creating official survey maps of a Scottish region. Its importance to cartography shows how this remote peak played a role in mapping Scottish territory.

Location: Highland

Location: Fortingall

Elevation above the sea: 1,148 m

GPS coordinates: 56.81382,-4.46505

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:47