![Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs0.geograph.org.uk%2Fgeophotos%2F07%2F19%2F01%2F7190138_eb5c3de1.jpg&w=1920&q=75&dpl=dpl_CBXtfUkJx6W89LDicVXehL74AYLp)
Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]
Beinn Chliad rises in the NF 678 grid square at the north end of Barra. The 206m top is a fine vantage over the Sound of Barra towards Eriskay and South Uist, with the name suggesting a rocky peak in Gaelic.
Quick facts
- Height
- 206m/ 676ft
- Prominence
- 159 m
- Grid ref
- NF 67800 04287
- 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
Lewisian gneiss 45% · heather moorland 35% · rocky summit 20%
From the coast road at the north end of the island, head up grassy croft slopes onto open heather and gneiss to gain the summit ridge. The going is short but steep in places. Two to three hours suffices including time on top.
Terrain
Barra's northern gneiss slopes carry thin peat and tough heather, with stretches of broken rock near the summit ridge. Sheep tracks help thread between the wettest hollows.
In winter
A reliable low-level winter outing when ferry timetables permit. Snow lies only briefly at this altitude but the exposed ridge takes the full force of westerly gales coming in off the Atlantic.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 52m
- Edinburgh11h 25m
Ferry access
Oban → Castlebay (Barra)
- Crossing time285 min
- Summer sailings1 sailing daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings4–5 sailings per week (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
A four-and-three-quarter-hour direct crossing — plan an overnight stay. Alternative: fly to Barra Airport (beach landing), or reach via Eriskay → Ardmhor (Barra) after taking the South Uist ferry.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 31, OS Explorer 452N
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Barra hill; no networks. Castlebay is the nearest coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:24
- Sunset
- 21:49
- Civil dawn
- 04:32
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad] — common questions
- How difficult is Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]?
- Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad] carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Barra's northern gneiss slopes carry thin peat and tough heather, with stretches of broken rock near the summit ridge.
- What is Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]'s prominence?
- 159m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad] to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad] dog-friendly?
- 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 Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]?
- Poor. Remote Barra hill; no networks. Castlebay is the nearest coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad]?
- Oban → Castlebay (Barra). 1 sailing daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings per week (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A four-and-three-quarter-hour direct crossing — plan an overnight stay. Alternative: fly to Barra Airport (beach landing), or reach via Eriskay → Ardmhor (Barra) after taking the South Uist ferry.
- Is Beinn Chliad [Ben Cleit] [Ben Cliad] safe in winter?
- A reliable low-level winter outing when ferry timetables permit. Snow lies only briefly at this altitude but the exposed ridge takes the full force of westerly gales coming in off the Atlantic.
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