Grampian Mountains

Grampian Mountains, also Grampian Hills, mountain system, central Scotland, forming the natural division between the Lowlands and Highlands. They extend through the center of Scotland in a southwestern to northeastern direction. At the western extremity of the mountain mass is Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Great Britain, which rises 1343 m (4406 ft) above sea level. The other chief summits are Ben Macdhui (1,309 m/4,295 ft), Braeriach (1295 m/4249 ft), Cairn Toul (1293 m/4241 ft), Cairn Gorm (1245 m/4084 ft), Ben Lawers (1214 m/3984 ft), Ben More (1171 m/3843 ft), and Ben Alder (1145 m/3757 ft). The principal rivers rising in the Grampian Mountains are the Findhorn, Spey, Don, Dee, South Esk, Tay, and Forth. The mountains present a generally bold aspect, but in places they slope gradually, affording excellent pasturage. In the north the mountains are more rugged and difficult to traverse. Among the famous passes through them are those of Aberfoyle and Killiecrankie. The Grampians contain the finest deer forests in Scotland. The name of the mountains was derived from the Mons Graupius, mentioned by the Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus as the site of a battle where the Roman statesman and general Gnaeus Julius Agricola defeated the Caledonians in ad 84.