What difficulty is Beinn Bhreac?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Bhreac comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: Extensive heather and peat hags.

How prominent is Beinn Bhreac?

Beinn Bhreac has 189m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Beinn Bhreac?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhreac 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 Bhreac?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Argyll

Beinn Bhreac

This Beinn Bhreac is the more southerly of the Knapdale Speckled Hills, sitting at 441m above the Sound of Jura. It is a quiet rounded summit surrounded by lochans and rough pasture, with Jura filling the western horizon.

Quick facts

Height: 441m/ 1447ft
Prominence: 189 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 53326 77885
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

heather moorland 65% · boggy ground 20% · grassy summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A short outing from the minor road that wriggles south of Tayvallich. Most parties pick a rough line up the eastern flank, taking 3 hours for the round trip.

Terrain

Extensive heather and peat hags. Lochans dot the surrounding moor — useful navigation landmarks in clear weather.

In winter

Snow is rare on the low Knapdale hills but the bog and tussock become harder underfoot when partly frozen, making winter walking surprisingly pleasant.

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 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

Glasgow4h 24m
Edinburgh7h 9m

OS maps: OS Landranger 61, OS Explorer 355S

Mobile signal: Poor. South Knapdale interior; EE absent. Lochgilphead is the nearest coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 44mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:51
Sunset: 21:07
Civil dawn: 05:07
Civil dusk: 21:51

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

town

Base yourself in Rothesay

Isle of Bute base; West Island Way; short Glasgow break

57km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Jura

Craighouse on Jura — island distillery in a single-street village

11km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Beinn Bhreac — common questions

What difficulty is Beinn Bhreac?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Bhreac comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: Extensive heather and peat hags.
How prominent is Beinn Bhreac?: Beinn Bhreac has 189m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Beinn Bhreac?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhreac 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 Bhreac?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Bhreac?: Poor. South Knapdale interior; EE absent. Lochgilphead is the nearest coverage.
Is Beinn Bhreac safe in winter?: Snow is rare on the low Knapdale hills but the bog and tussock become harder underfoot when partly frozen, making winter walking surprisingly pleasant.

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