How hard is Beinn Bhreac?

We grade Beinn Bhreac at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Deep peat hags interspersed with basalt platforms and small lochans.

How much drop does Beinn Bhreac have?

The drop is 293m: measured from the summit of Beinn Bhreac down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Beinn Bhreac?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Bhreac. 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 Beinn Bhreac?

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

By Gary Innes

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

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Marilyn · Skye & The Small Isles

Beinn Bhreac

Beinn Bhreac (speckled hill) is a 448m moorland top above Bracadale in central Skye, with a fine elevated view across Loch Bracadale to MacLeod's Tables and the Cuillin. The summit area is a mosaic of basalt outcrops and lochans.

Quick facts

Height: 448m/ 1470ft
Prominence: 293 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 34576 26942
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

rough grassland 45% · basalt rock 35% · heather 20%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near Struan or Bracadale and head south-east across open moor to gain the broad ridge. Expect 7 km return and roughly 350m of ascent on pathless ground.

Terrain

Deep peat hags interspersed with basalt platforms and small lochans. Choose lines carefully to avoid the worst of the bog after rain.

In winter

Frozen bog makes the walking easier than in summer. Snow showers driven on Atlantic winds can reduce visibility quickly on the featureless plateau.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Bhreac. 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 The Northwest 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

Glasgow7h 38m
Edinburgh9h 58m

OS maps: OS Landranger 32, OS Explorer 411

Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent on Skye; better toward Portree.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 59mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:47
Sunset: 21:14
Civil dawn: 05:01
Civil dusk: 22:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026

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Around Beinn Bhreac on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station

Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton

41km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Portree

Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr

21km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Talisker

Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied

6km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Beinn Bhreac — common questions

How hard is Beinn Bhreac?: We grade Beinn Bhreac at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Deep peat hags interspersed with basalt platforms and small lochans.
How much drop does Beinn Bhreac have?: The drop is 293m: measured from the summit of Beinn Bhreac down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Beinn Bhreac?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Bhreac. 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 Beinn Bhreac?: 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 Beinn Bhreac?: Moderate. EE intermittent on Skye; better toward Portree.
Is Beinn Bhreac safe in winter?: Frozen bog makes the walking easier than in summer. Snow showers driven on Atlantic winds can reduce visibility quickly on the featureless plateau.

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