Beinn

Beinn is a Scottish Gaelic noun meaning mountain or hill. In Scottish toponymy it is used as a generic term for elevated terrain and as a component in the names of many mountains and hills across Scotland.

The word is an established part of Gaelic orthography, typically appearing as Beinn in Gaelic-language names and signage. In Anglophone contexts the form Ben is a common anglicization of Beinn, and many famous mountains carry both forms in different sources. A well-known example is Ben Nevis, whose Gaelic name is Beinn Nibheis. The prefix Beinn is also found in other Gaelic mountain names, such as Beinn Eighe in Torridon, a prominent peak and a National Nature Reserve.

Beinn is most common in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where Gaelic toponymy remains active in official names, maps, and local usage. In English-language contexts, the name is often rendered as Ben, especially in historical or tourist materials, while Beinn retains its use in Gaelic-language references and contemporary signage.

Pronunciation in Scottish Gaelic places Beinn roughly as a preserved long-n vowel sound with an ending n, and the exact pronunciation can vary with dialect. Overall, Beinn functions as a foundational element in the naming of Scotland’s mountainous landscape, reflecting the language’s lasting influence on place names.