Corbett · Far North
Ben Hee
Ben Hee — the fairy mountain, from the Gaelic 'Beinn Shìth' — sits in the middle of Sutherland between Lairg and Tongue, surrounded by deer-stalking country and miles of flow country bog. It is the kind of hill that needs a specific weather window and a long drive in to enjoy, but the rewards are real: a broad rolling summit with an immense panorama across the empty interior of the county, and a strong sense of being in country very few people visit. The metrics are modest; the walk-in feels remote.
Quick facts
- Height
- 873m/ 2864ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 750 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC426339
- Parking
- NC517245
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 92km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
moorland path 25% · heather hillside 45% · rocky upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%
The standard line is from the Crask Inn on the A836 (NC517245), arguably the most isolated pubs in Britain. Walk west on a Land Rover track for around 5km along the south side of Loch a' Bhealaich, then climb north-west onto the broad south-east ridge. The route rises steadily across moor and grass to the summit shelter. Return reverses the line. Allow 7–8 hours.
Terrain
Land Rover track for the first 5km gives a friendly start. From the loch end the ground turns to peat hag and rough grass — slow but rarely truly bad. The upper slopes are gentler and drier. The summit area is broad with a stone shelter built around the trig point — welcome in any wind.
In winter
Ben Hee in winter is a long quiet day in a part of Scotland that very few people see in snow. The approach Land Rover track holds drifts in north-east winds. The summit is exposed to the full sweep of Arctic systems from the Pentland Firth; clear cold conditions give one of the great Highland winter panoramas, with Foinaven, Ben Hope and the Sutherland coast all on view.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 10m
- Edinburgh5h 14m
OS maps: OS Landranger 16
Mobile signal: No usable signal at Crask or on the hill — central Sutherland is a recognised mobile blackspot
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:08
- Civil dawn
- 03:17
- Civil dusk
- 23:15
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Ben Hee.
Around Ben Hee on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ben Hee — common questions
- How hard is Ben Hee?
- Ben Hee is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 750m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Land Rover track for the first 5km gives a friendly start.
- Where do I park for Ben Hee?
- Standard parking is at NC517245 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 Ben Hee?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Hee 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 Ben Hee?
- 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 Ben Hee?
- No usable signal at Crask or on the hill — central Sutherland is a recognised mobile blackspot
- Is Ben Hee safe in winter?
- Ben Hee in winter is a long quiet day in a part of Scotland that very few people see in snow. The approach Land Rover track holds drifts in north-east winds. The summit is exposed to the full sweep of Arctic systems from the Pentland Firth; clear cold conditions give one of the great Highland winter panoramas, with Foinaven, Ben Hope and the Sutherland coast all on view.