Graham · Skye & The Small Isles
Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin)
The most prominent Red Cuillin from the Broadford side — a rounded scree dome with a Bronze Age cairn on top. Steep, loose and deeply unloved by everyone who's ever climbed it, but the view across to the Black Cuillin is exceptional.
Quick facts
- Height
- 732.1m/ 2402ft
- Prominence
- 696 m
- Distance
- 6 km
- Ascent
- 720 m
- Time
- 2–4 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG601233
- Parking
- NG617228
- Nearest
- Portree
- 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
village path 15% · steep heather 30% · scree and rock 40% · summit area 15%
Direct ascent from Coire-chat-achan above Broadford. Brutally steep loose scree. Faster going down than up. Path leaves the B8083 just past the quarry and climbs the south-east shoulder relentlessly to the cairn.
Terrain
Scree, scree, more scree. Trekking poles essential. Walking boots, not approach shoes.
In winter
Snow gives a more pleasant climb than dry scree, oddly. Crampons help on the upper slopes.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 50m
- Edinburgh5h 50m
OS maps: OS Explorer 412
Mobile signal: Brief signal on Skye near Broadford; 1-2 bars up top
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:47
- Sunset
- 22:12
- Civil dawn
- 03:45
- Civil dusk
- 23:15
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
On a long-distance route
Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) 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
16km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
24km 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
14km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) — common questions
- Is Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) a hard climb?
- Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 6km with 720m of ascent and takes most walkers 2-4 hours. Terrain: Scree, scree, more scree.
- How prominent is Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin)?
- Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) has 696m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin)?
- Standard parking is at NG617228 near Portree. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin)?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) are April, May, June, September, October. 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 na Caillich (Red Cuillin)?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin)?
- Brief signal on Skye near Broadford; 1-2 bars up top
- Is Beinn na Caillich (Red Cuillin) safe in winter?
- Snow gives a more pleasant climb than dry scree, oddly. Crampons help on the upper slopes.
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