Is Beinn Bhreac a hard climb?

Beinn Bhreac is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Mature woodland tracks lead onto open moor.

How much drop does Beinn Bhreac have?

The drop is 163m: 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: Michael Earnshaw / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Argyll

Beinn Bhreac

This particular Beinn Bhreac — the Speckled Hill — stands at 468m on the Craignish peninsula in mid-Argyll. Its position close to the western coast gives a remarkable seaward panorama over the Sound of Jura and Lunga.

Quick facts

Height: 468m/ 1535ft
Prominence: 163 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 59760 90803
Nearest city: Oban· 47km
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 60% · grass slopes 25% · schist outcrops 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near Ardfern or Craobh Haven and follow estate tracks toward the open hill. The final ascent over short heather is fairly easy, taking around 3-4 hours in total.

Terrain

Mature woodland tracks lead onto open moor. The summit ridge is short cropped heather with several intermediate bumps to traverse.

In winter

A reasonable winter target. Sea-level start and modest height mean snow is rarely a real issue. Atlantic gales are the main consideration on the open summit.

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 11m
Edinburgh7h 55m

OS maps: OS Landranger 61, OS Explorer 355N

Mobile signal: Poor. Knapdale/Loch Fyne area; intermittent coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 45mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:50
Sunset: 21:07
Civil dawn: 05:06
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

station

Getting there: Oban station

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

47km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

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

47km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Jura

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

24km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Beinn Bhreac — common questions

Is Beinn Bhreac a hard climb?: Beinn Bhreac is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Mature woodland tracks lead onto open moor.
How much drop does Beinn Bhreac have?: The drop is 163m: 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?: Poor. Knapdale/Loch Fyne area; intermittent coverage.
Is Beinn Bhreac safe in winter?: A reasonable winter target. Sea-level start and modest height mean snow is rarely a real issue. Atlantic gales are the main consideration on the open summit.

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