How difficult is Buidhe Bheinn?

Buidhe Bheinn carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 16km, 779m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: The Coire Toiteil stalkers path is steep and slippery in places where it crosses bare bedrock, but otherwise gives good progress to the bealach.

What is Buidhe Bheinn's prominence?

165m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Buidhe Bheinn to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Buidhe Bheinn?

Most walkers start from NG969143. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Buidhe Bheinn?

May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Buidhe Bheinn. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Buidhe Bheinn dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · Knoydart

Buidhe Bheinn

Buidhe Bheinn is the long, twisting ridge that runs south from the Bealach Duibh Leac in South Glen Shiel, falling away in steep grass and crag toward the head of Loch Hourn. It is often climbed in conjunction with the higher Munro Sgurr na Sgine on its north-east end, but its own 885m summit is set apart enough — three subsidiary tops along the ridge — that most baggers treat it as a day in its own right. The view south across Loch Hourn to Ladhar Bheinn and Knoydart is one of the most striking on the mainland.

Gaelic: “yellow” · Pronunciation: boo-yeh bheinn

Quick facts

Height: 885.5m/ 2905ft
Prominence: 165 m
Distance: ~16 km
Ascent: ~779 m
Time: 5–8 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NG963090
Parking: NG969143
Nearest city: Fort William· 38km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

stalkers path 30% · bealach path 15% · grassy ridge 45% · summit top 10%

16km · 779m ascent · 4.5 hrs

Start from a lay-by on the A87 in South Glen Shiel and follow the stalkers path up Allt Coire Toiteil to the Bealach Duibh Leac — the same approach used for Sgurr na Sgine. From the bealach, turn south and follow the airy ridge over a series of bumps to the highest point. Around 16km return with 779m of ascent. Strong parties combine the day with Sgurr na Sgine and The Saddle, but Buidhe Bheinn alone gives a fine moderate Corbett with one steep pull.

Terrain

The Coire Toiteil stalkers path is steep and slippery in places where it crosses bare bedrock, but otherwise gives good progress to the bealach. The ridge itself is grassy with intermittent rock outcrops — straightforward in good visibility but the subsidiary tops can confuse on the way back, with one false summit south of the main top. The west flank above Loch Hourn drops away steeply.

In winter

In winter the steep west face holds snow into late spring and is a recognised avalanche slope after westerly loading; cornices form on the north-east edge above Coire Toiteil. The bealach itself is a notorious wind tunnel. Most parties keep to the broad east flank of the ridge for safer footing.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Buidhe Bheinn. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 1m
Edinburgh4h 35m

Parking: NG969143

OS maps: OS Landranger 33

Mobile signal: No signal in Glenelg; completely isolated from the network

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 14mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:49
Sunset: 19:45
Civil dawn: 06:10
Civil dusk: 20:24

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Buidhe Bheinn on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station

Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton

27km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Mallaig

Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply

31km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Buidhe Bheinn — common questions

How difficult is Buidhe Bheinn?: Buidhe Bheinn carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 16km, 779m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: The Coire Toiteil stalkers path is steep and slippery in places where it crosses bare bedrock, but otherwise gives good progress to the bealach.
What is Buidhe Bheinn's prominence?: 165m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Buidhe Bheinn to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Buidhe Bheinn?: Most walkers start from NG969143. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Buidhe Bheinn?: May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Buidhe Bheinn. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Buidhe Bheinn dog-friendly?: 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 Buidhe Bheinn?: No signal in Glenelg; completely isolated from the network
Is Buidhe Bheinn safe in winter?: In winter the steep west face holds snow into late spring and is a recognised avalanche slope after westerly loading; cornices form on the north-east edge above Coire Toiteil. The bealach itself is a notorious wind tunnel. Most parties keep to the broad east flank of the ridge for safer footing.

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