How hard is Stob Mhic Bheathain?

We grade Stob Mhic Bheathain at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 591m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: Old mine track, then steep heather and broken rock.

How much drop does Stob Mhic Bheathain have?

The drop is 215m: measured from the summit of Stob Mhic Bheathain down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Stob Mhic Bheathain?

Park at NM895720. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Stob Mhic Bheathain?

Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Stob Mhic Bheathain. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Stob Mhic Bheathain?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

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

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Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Stob Mhic Bheathain

A craggy Graham on the spine of the Sunart-Moidart ridge between Strontian and Glenfinnan, near the higher Corbett Sgurr Dhomhnuill. The summit gives a striking view down Loch Shiel. Glen Coe and Lochaber top at 721 m — 13 km out and back, 591 m of climbing.

Gaelic: “pointed peak, son of” · Pronunciation: stob mhic bheathain

Quick facts

Height: 721m/ 2365ft
Prominence: 215 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~591 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NM914713
Parking: NM895720
Nearest city: Fort William· 19km
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% · heather hillside 50% · grassy upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%

13km · 591m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Approach from the Strontian-Polloch road by the old lead mine track at Bellsgrove. Climb steeply north up Glen Sgurra onto the bealach east of Sgurr Dhomhnuill, then turn east along the ridge to Stob Mhic Bheathain.

Terrain

Old mine track, then steep heather and broken rock. The ridge is narrow in places with small scrambly steps. The summit cairn perches on the edge of the north face.

In winter

The narrow connecting ridge takes on a proper mountaineering feel under snow.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Stob Mhic Bheathain. 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 West 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 40m
Edinburgh3h 11m

Parking: NM895720

OS maps: OS Landranger 40

Mobile signal: No signal in Glen Sgurra or on the ridge

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 08mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:52
Sunset: 19:42
Civil dawn: 06:13
Civil dusk: 20:21

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

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Around Stob Mhic Bheathain on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Glenfinnan station

Glenfinnan Viaduct; Streap, Sgurr Thuilm, Glen Finnan Munros

9km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Fort William

Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber

19km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery

Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics

21km from the hill

tastescot.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.

Stob Mhic Bheathain — common questions

How hard is Stob Mhic Bheathain?: We grade Stob Mhic Bheathain at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 591m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: Old mine track, then steep heather and broken rock.
How much drop does Stob Mhic Bheathain have?: The drop is 215m: measured from the summit of Stob Mhic Bheathain down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Stob Mhic Bheathain?: Park at NM895720. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Stob Mhic Bheathain?: Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Stob Mhic Bheathain. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Stob Mhic Bheathain?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Stob Mhic Bheathain?: No signal in Glen Sgurra or on the ridge
Is Stob Mhic Bheathain safe in winter?: The narrow connecting ridge takes on a proper mountaineering feel under snow.

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