Graham · North-West Highlands
Beinn Mheadhoin
Beinn Mheadhoin (664m) — the middle hill — rises above Strathconon in the NH24 square, a sandstone outlier west of Garve. The rock rib just west of its small cairn provides the truest high point, looking out over wild Strathconon to An Sidhean and the headwaters of the Meig.
Quick facts
- Height
- 664.3m/ 2179ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 544 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH258477
- Parking
- NH226472
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky outcrops 10%
Start from the road end at Inverchoran near Loch Beannacharain. Follow the estate track south-west along the Allt an Eas Bhuidhe before striking up steeply onto the broad east shoulder. The angle eases on a heathery rib leading to the rock rib and small cairn; descend by the same line or extend west along the watershed.
Terrain
Estate track for the first three kilometres, then pathless heather and tussock on the east shoulder. The rocky rib at the top requires care in mist — the true high point lies a few metres west of the cairn marker.
In winter
Strathconon catches Atlantic snow but thaws fast at this altitude. Beinn Mheadhoin's north-east corrie holds late drifts and can be icy after rain-freeze cycles. The hill is remote enough that a slip far from the track becomes serious; carry axe and spikes from December through March.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 34m
- Edinburgh4h 51m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote north-west Highlands; limited coverage on all networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:02
- Civil dawn
- 03:29
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Beinn Mheadhoin on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dingwall station
Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines
31km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
41km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glen Ord
Muir of Ord — Black Isle distillery; the Singleton range's Highland anchor
27km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn Mheadhoin — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Mheadhoin?
- Beinn Mheadhoin is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 544m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Estate track for the first three kilometres, then pathless heather and tussock on the east shoulder.
- Where do I park for Beinn Mheadhoin?
- Standard parking is at NH226472 near Inverness. 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 Mheadhoin?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Mheadhoin are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Mheadhoin?
- 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 Mheadhoin?
- Poor. Remote north-west Highlands; limited coverage on all networks.
- Is Beinn Mheadhoin safe in winter?
- Strathconon catches Atlantic snow but thaws fast at this altitude. Beinn Mheadhoin's north-east corrie holds late drifts and can be icy after rain-freeze cycles. The hill is remote enough that a slip far from the track becomes serious; carry axe and spikes from December through March.