Corbett · North-West Highlands
Beinn Lair
Beinn Lair is the high point of the Letterewe Forest, a vast tract of empty country north of Loch Maree and east of Loch Maree. At 859m it is a hill of exceptional geological interest — the north face above Lochan Fada is the famous Marble Slabs, a vertical wall of clean grey hornblende-schist that rivals the great cliffs of the Cairngorms for rock-climbing. The summit is a slender ridge with a striking 3m-high cairn looking down 800m to the head of Loch Maree.
Quick facts
- Height
- 859m/ 2818ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 756 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG981732
- Parking
- NG858808
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 74km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
stalkers path 40% · rough moor 25% · shoulder climb 25% · narrow summit 10%
No short option. The classic line is from the road end at Poolewe, taking the path past Kernsary to Lochan Fada — around 12km of stalkers track and rough moor each way before climbing onto the hill itself. Alternative entry from Kinlochewe via Incheril and the Heights of Kinlochewe path is slightly shorter. From the loch, climb the south-east shoulder of Beinn Lair to the cairn. Around 30km plus and 756m of ascent — a long day or an overnight expedition.
Terrain
The Kernsary stalkers path stays good underfoot for the opening miles of the approach. Beyond Lochan Fada the ground is pathless rough heather and bog with hidden burns. The climb onto the hill is steep grass and broken rock; the summit ridge itself is narrow with one exposed section above the Marble Slabs cliff. Keep well back from the north edge in mist — the drop is unforgiving.
In winter
A serious expedition in winter — the long approach, remoteness from any road and the exposed north-side cliffs combine to make this a hill for experienced winter mountaineers only. The Marble Slabs hold winter ice and are an established climbing venue. Avoid the north edge of the summit ridge under snow; cornicing is consistent. Most parties carry bivvy kit or use Carnmore bothy.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 10m
- Edinburgh5h 33m
OS maps: OS Landranger 19
Mobile signal: No signal in Letterewe; Poolewe village has reliable coverage
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:28
- Civil dusk
- 23:10
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Lair.
Around Beinn Lair on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Lair — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Lair?
- Beinn Lair is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 756m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Kernsary stalkers path stays good underfoot for the opening miles of the approach.
- Where do I park for Beinn Lair?
- Standard parking is at NG858808 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Lair?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Lair are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Beinn Lair?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Beinn Lair?
- No signal in Letterewe; Poolewe village has reliable coverage
- Is Beinn Lair safe in winter?
- A serious expedition in winter — the long approach, remoteness from any road and the exposed north-side cliffs combine to make this a hill for experienced winter mountaineers only. The Marble Slabs hold winter ice and are an established climbing venue. Avoid the north edge of the summit ridge under snow; cornicing is consistent. Most parties carry bivvy kit or use Carnmore bothy.