Pronunciation of Scottish Mountains


The following is a list of Scottish mountains with their pronunciations, this is to help hillwalkers who don’t have a good understanding of the Gaelic language. Please excuse any mistakes and feel free to notify me of corrections and additions. Please note, as with all languages there are some local variations in pronunciation, so please do not consider this as a perfect guide.

• Upper case is used to show emphasis. When it is all in upper case, the name is pronounced with an even emphasis.

• Where there is a trailing CH, it should be pronounced in the ‘back of throat’. This sound is not found in the English language so is difficult to describe, it’s perhaps similar to saying LOK but with a slightly phlegmy sound with the K.

Mountain Name Pronunciation
Aonach Beag OONACK BIG
Ben Avon BEN ARN
Ben Macdui BEN MAC-DOO-EE
Beinn Dearg  BEN GEREG
Beinn Eighe BEYN EEAR
Beinn Mheadhoin  BEYN VEE-AN 
Braeriach BRAYER-REE-ERCH
Buachaille Etive Mor BROUCKLE ETIVE MOOR
Creag Meagaidh CREG MEG-EE
Lochnagar  LOCH-na-GAAR 
Sgurr Alasdair SKOOR ALISTER
Sgurr Choinnich Mor SKOOR KHON-ICH MOR