What is the highest mountain in the British Isles?

The highest mountain in the British Isles is Ben Nevis. It rises to 1,345 metres above sea level in Lochaber, near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, and is part of the Grampian Mountains.

Ben Nevis was once an active volcano whose collapsed inner structure now forms the mountain's summit plateau and dramatic north face. The cliffs on that northern side reach about 700 metres and are important destinations for climbing and winter mountaineering. Most walkers use the Mountain Track from Glen Nevis.

The mountain's first recorded ascent was made in 1771 by botanist James Robertson. In 1847, the Ordnance Survey formally confirmed Ben Nevis as the highest mountain in Britain and Ireland, settling the matter against Ben Macdui. Its summit also held a continuously staffed meteorological observatory from 1883 to 1904, and data gathered there helped improve understanding of mountain weather.

A common mix-up is confusing the highest peak in the British Isles with the highest mountain in England, which is Scafell Pike, or Wales, which is Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.