Marilyn · argyll
Beinn Chapull
Beinn Chapull, the Hill of the Horse, is a 515m Marilyn rising above the head of Loch Avich in mid-Argyll. Its compact dome sits in remote country with few visitors.
Quick facts
- Height
- 515m/ 1690ft
- Grid ref
- NM 93741 19598
- Nearest city
- Oban· 13km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
A typical ascent starts from the minor road along Loch Avich, threading through forestry rides before climbing rough heather to the summit. Map work matters; 3 to 5 hours is a fair estimate depending on tree-cover obstacles.
Terrain
Dense plantation on the lower slopes can frustrate route choice. Above, the ground is wet heather and bog with sparse outcrop. A burn line often makes the most reliable guide.
In winter
Sheltered location keeps it mild for an Argyll hill, but bog freezes hard and tussocks become hidden traps under thin snow. Microspikes can help on the upper ground.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 3m
- Edinburgh6h 38m
OS maps: OS Landranger 55, OS Explorer 360N
Mobile signal: Poor. Networks fail completely; download offline maps in advance.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:12
- Civil dawn
- 03:28
- Civil dusk
- 23:16
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Beinn Chapull on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
13km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
13km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Oban
Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles
13km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn Chapull — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Chapull?
- Beinn Chapull is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Dense plantation on the lower slopes can frustrate route choice.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Chapull?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Chapull 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 Chapull?
- 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 Chapull?
- Poor. Networks fail completely; download offline maps in advance.
- Is Beinn Chapull safe in winter?
- Sheltered location keeps it mild for an Argyll hill, but bog freezes hard and tussocks become hidden traps under thin snow. Microspikes can help on the upper ground.
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