Graham · Skye & The Small Isles
Beinn Dearg Mhor
A red-flanked Graham on the western edge of Skye's Minginish peninsula, looking out across Loch Brittle to the Atlantic. Often climbed as a wet-weather alternative when the Cuillin are out of condition.
Gaelic: “mountain, red, big” · Pronunciation: bine jerr-ak vore
Quick facts
- Height
- 733.5m/ 2406ft
- Prominence
- 319 m
- Distance
- ~14 km
- Ascent
- ~601 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG520284
- Nearest
- Fort William
- 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
moorland path 20% · rough heather 40% · rocky slopes 30% · summit area 10%
From the road end at Glen Brittle campsite walk west along the coast track to the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh, then climb directly up the south-east flank. The upper slopes broaden onto a rough scree-strewn plateau topped by a small cairn.
Terrain
Coastal grass and bracken at the start, then steep heather and small slabs of Cuillin gabbro. The summit area is bouldery — pick a line round rather than over the larger blocks.
In winter
Skye's maritime climate makes for wet snow rather than ice on this hill.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 45m
- Edinburgh4h 28m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32, OS Explorer 411
Mobile signal: Patchy at Glen Brittle; nothing higher up
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:23
- Sunset
- 20:27
- Civil dawn
- 05:42
- Civil dusk
- 21:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026
Around Beinn Dearg Mhor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
24km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
16km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Isle of Raasay Distillery
Raasay — new island distillery with rooms; Dun Caan walks from the door
8km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn Dearg Mhor — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Dearg Mhor?
- We grade Beinn Dearg Mhor at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 14km with 601m of climbing; allow 4-7 hours. Terrain: Coastal grass and bracken at the start, then steep heather and small slabs of Cuillin gabbro.
- How prominent is Beinn Dearg Mhor?
- Beinn Dearg Mhor has 319m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- When should I climb Beinn Dearg Mhor?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Dearg Mhor 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 Dearg Mhor?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Beinn Dearg Mhor?
- Patchy at Glen Brittle; nothing higher up
- Is Beinn Dearg Mhor safe in winter?
- Skye's maritime climate makes for wet snow rather than ice on this hill.
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