[Byn Crew-a-chan] Originally recorded in Gaelic as Cruachan Beinne, meaning Heap on the Mountain. This implies a conical peak on top of a larger massive hill, which describes the topography perfectly.
Ben Cruachan is an outlier of the southern highlands. Geologically, its granite has more in common with Ben Starav in Glen Etive or Ben More on Mull, however it is accessed from the Tyndrum to Oban road so is included here.
To non-climbers, Ben Cruachan is best known for the massive pumped-storage hydroelectric power station which helps to balance supply and demand on the Scottish electricity grid. To hillwalkers, the magnificent ridge between Cruachan itself and the neighbouring Munro of Stob Daimh is a classic circuit, all the better in winter conditions. By comparison, climbers were quite slow to explore and develop the various corries on the wild northern side of the massif. Nowadays the most popular venue is Coire Chat, but the first routes were only recorded in 2002. Since then, routes like Tainted Elixir have become popular classics.