There is Edinburgh which is known as "Northern Athens" and Glasgow, the largest industrial and commercial city across the clyde river in Scotland, and also Scotland has its own highest peak, the Mount Ben Nevis.
Now today we'll talk about the summit, the Mount Ben Nevis.
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A brief introduction to Ben Nevis
The Mount Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the UK, at the northeast end of the Lorne Bay in western Scotland and belongs to the Grampian Mountains.
With a wild heart, an adventurous spirit and a flair for drama, the legendary peak towers above glistening lochans and deep glacial valleys. In Scotland, you can't get any higher than this.
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Ben Nevis, the Holy Land for Walkers
There are two main walking routes up Ben Nevis.
The Mountain Track (sometimes called the Tourist Track or the Pony Track) is used by most walkers.
Whilst the Carn Mor Dearg Arête route presents a more challenging climb for more experienced hikers.
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The Mountain Track
The easiest route up the mountain, the track begins at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre car park, at Achintee on the east side of Glen Nevis about 2 km from the town centre of Fort William, and approximately 20 m above sea level.
The track starts with a steep climb to the halfway lochan', or Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, and then the ascent features snaking zig-zag paths up to the summit.
At the summit, there's a cairn that marks the highest point and your reward on a clear day will be the incredible 360° anoramic vistas which can stretch as far as Northern Ireland.
From the top, see if you can point out other peaks including the Torridon hills, Ben Lomond and Morven at Caithness.
A unique feature of the summit is the Old Observatory, which was opened in 1883. It provided hourly meteorological data for almost 20 years, recording some of the UK's most useful information about mountain weather to date. It closed in 1904 and it now lies in ruin, but can be used for shelter in emergencies.
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Carn Mor Dearg Arête route
Carn Mor Dearg Arête is the mountain's other walking route, a challenging ridge climb which should only be attempted by experienced scramblers and physically-fit hill walkers.
Though demanding, the route rewards walkers with the finest possible views of the mountain's North face.
Starting from the North Face car park at Torlundy, the trail traverses not one but two Munros, the Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis.
It can also be reached by following the Mountain Track to the 'halfway lochan', then taking the left fork whilst the right fork continues along the Mountain Track. You'll pass the CIC Hut, a private shelter for mountaineers.
A longer and more strenuous walk than the Mountain Track, this spectacular route can take between 10-11 hours with scrambles across boulders.
There are many other incredible ways to experience Ben Nevis.
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Rock Climbing
A rock climber's paradise, the North Face of Ben Nevis has steep jagged cliff edges which are 600m high in places and perfect for rock climbing.
There is a variety of routes to choose from, including the Ledge Route and Tower Ridge.
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Mountain Gondola
You can also take in the sights aboard a Nevis Range mountain gondola ride.
Drift effortlessly along the north face of the Aonach Mor, and enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Great Glen and Ben Nevis, and sometimes even the Inner Hebrides on clear days.
The journey takes approximately 12 -15 minutes, and each gondola car can take up to six people.
You can also bring your dog and take them for a walk along one of the mountain viewpoint trails.
When you're not admiring the awe-inspiring vistas from the mountain-top, absorb the rich history and energetic personality of Fort William and the surrounding area.
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The Ben Nevis Distillery
Head to the Ben Nevis Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries established in 1825.
A perfect souvenir for those who have completed the climb, take a tour of the distillery the following day and ease your weary muscles with a dram of single malt.
The distillery is at Lochy Bridge, Fort William, around 7 minutes’ drive away from Ben Nevis.
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Fort William and Lochaber
Fort William and Lochaber is a region known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ so there is a wide variety of adrenaline pumping activities on offer. Try gorge walking or canyoning with Vertical Descents, or get hooked on a new watersport such as white water funyakking and river rafting with Active Highs.
There are plenty of beautiful scenic walks in the Fort William area. Take a short stroll through the Nevis Gorge to admire the cascading Steall Falls, or wander along to the Iron Age Dun Deardail fort which boasts a stunning hilltop location and can be reached by following the waymarked path from Glen Nevis.
Visit the fascinating and free West Highland Museum in Fort William, and learn all about the north west Highlands Jacobite history, with medals, weapons and one of Bonnie Prince Charlie's silk waistcoats on display.
Take the rail journey of a lifetime aboard the iconic Jacobite Steam Train, which departs from Fort William to Mallaig during the summer months along the West Highland Line. It travels over the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct which featured in the Harry Potter film series.
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Nevis Range
In the winter, hone your ski or snowboard skills at the Nevis Range, or throughout the year try other exciting outdoor activities including mountain biking, tree-top adventures and paragliding.
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Frequently asked questions
Turn your Munro-bagging dreams into reality and find out everything you need to know before you lace up your walking boots. Remember, discovering the sheer magic of Scotland's most famous mountain is all the more fun when you're completely prepared for anything.
Q: How long does it take to climb Ben Nevis?
A: It really depends on your level of fitness, the weather conditions and how many breaks you take to admire the views. It will usually take between 7 - 9 hours to complete following the Mountain Track, with an approximate ascent of 3.5 - 4.5 hours to the summit.
Q: How tough is it to climb?
A: It's a long and arduous climb and you might have stiff legs the following day, but the feeling of accomplishment when you scale the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom is pretty tough to beat.
Q: How high is it?
A: A lofty 1,345 m. To put it into perspective, the London Eye stands at 135 m and Big Ben at 96 m high.
Q: Do I need a map and a compass?
A: Although the Mountain Track is reasonably easy to follow on a clear day, it's essential to have both a map and a compass and know how to use them especially if there is poor visibility during the climb.
Q: Can I camp at Ben Nevis?
A: Camping on the mountainside is not advisable. The peak is exposed and busy with walkers during the summer, and pitching a tent would be difficult due to the uneven terrain.
