[Byn Choorun] Gaelic, meaning Hill of the Cairn.
Beinn Chùirn is best known to non-climbers for mining: it was a major site for lead mining from the 18th century onwards, and a deposit of gold was discovered here in the 1980s, which is now being exploited. The main attraction for climbers is the Eas Anie waterfall, just behind the gold mine.
The mine is being blasted, but the operators will refrain from blasting if there are climbers on the icefall. As of February 2021, there is an Ice Climber Alert switch at the top gate, above the mine and below the gully. The first climbing team of the day should switch it on, and the last team should switch it off. For the latest access and safety information, visit www.scotgoldresources.com/cononish-glen/cononish-glen-access/.
The easier right branch was climbed first. Two years later, the same climbers returned to attempt the steeper left-hand branch. Thanks to a little subterfuge, they found another pair already at the base of the route and about to gazump them. They made a dash for it, culminating with both teams being on the icefall at the same time, hence the four climbers being credited with the first ascent.