When is the best time to climb Beinn Bhan?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhan are March, April, May, June, July, August, 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 Bhan?

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

When is the best time to climb Beinn Bhan?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhan are March, April, May, June, July, August, 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 Bhan?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Patrick Mackie / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · argyll

Beinn Bhan

This 319m Beinn Bhan (White Hill) stands on the Kintyre peninsula near Skipness, looking across Kilbrannan Sound to Arran. Its pale grass crown picks out the name in bright weather.

Gaelic: “mountain, fair” · Pronunciation: bine vahn

Quick facts

Height: 319m/ 1047ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 85688 99802
Nearest city: Oban· 30km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Walks usually start from the B8001 near Skipness, following minor tracks before climbing pathless heather and grass to the summit. About 2 to 3 hours suffices for the round.

Terrain

Sheep-cropped grass and short heather make up most of the hill, with a few low schist outcrops near the top. Drier underfoot than many mid-Argyll Marilyns.

In winter

Atlantic-mild for most of winter but the exposed summit catches strong westerlies straight off the sea. Snow rarely lies more than briefly.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 11m
Edinburgh6h 52m

OS maps: OS Landranger 55, OS Explorer 358N, OS Explorer 360S

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Argyll/Cowal; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 43mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:34
Sunset: 22:11
Civil dawn: 03:31
Civil dusk: 23:14

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Beinn Bhan on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Oban station

Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections

30km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra

30km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Bhan — common questions

How hard is Beinn Bhan?: Beinn Bhan is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep-cropped grass and short heather make up most of the hill, with a few low schist outcrops near the top.
When is the best time to climb Beinn Bhan?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhan are March, April, May, June, July, August, 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 Bhan?: 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 Bhan?: Poor. Remote Argyll/Cowal; limited coverage.
Is Beinn Bhan safe in winter?: Atlantic-mild for most of winter but the exposed summit catches strong westerlies straight off the sea. Snow rarely lies more than briefly.

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