How difficult is Beinn Dearg?

Beinn Dearg carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Open Knapdale moorland — heather, bracken in summer, and broken schist outcrops near the top.

How much drop does Beinn Dearg have?

The drop is 146m: measured from the summit of Beinn Dearg down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. That leaves it 4m short of the 150m drop a Marilyn needs — DoBIH classes it a sub-Marilyn, a near-miss rather than a full Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Beinn Dearg?

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

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Patrick Mackie / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Sub-Marilyn · Argyll

Beinn Dearg

Beinn Dearg, the Red Hill, reaches 483m in the Knapdale hills behind Lochgilphead. Iron-rich rock gives the summit slopes their characteristic warm hue, especially after rain. 483.3 m — a argyll hill.

Gaelic: “mountain, red” · Pronunciation: bine jerr-ak

Quick facts

Height: 483.3m/ 1586ft
Prominence: 146 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NN 02430 05011
Nearest city: Oban· 30km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Sub-Marilyn: 146m of drop — misses the 150m Marilyn cut by 4m. We keep it on the list as a near-miss.

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

A short approach from the B841 by the Crinan Canal climbs heathery slopes and small schist ribs to the summit. Around 2 to 3 hours suffices for a return trip when the line is well chosen.

Terrain

Open Knapdale moorland — heather, bracken in summer, and broken schist outcrops near the top. Drainage is poor in places after wet weather.

In winter

Too low for reliable snow cover but exposed to coastal winds. Frozen bog underfoot is the most likely winter hazard.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Dearg. 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

Glasgow3h 34m
Edinburgh5h 12m

OS maps: OS Landranger 55, OS Explorer 360S

Mobile signal: Poor. South Knapdale; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 47mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:47
Sunset: 21:05
Civil dawn: 05:02
Civil dusk: 21:49

NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026

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Around Beinn Dearg on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Loch Awe station

East shore Loch Awe; Ben Cruachan; Kilchurn Castle

25km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

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

30km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Oban

Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles

30km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Beinn Dearg — common questions

How difficult is Beinn Dearg?: Beinn Dearg carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Open Knapdale moorland — heather, bracken in summer, and broken schist outcrops near the top.
How much drop does Beinn Dearg have?: The drop is 146m: measured from the summit of Beinn Dearg down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. That leaves it 4m short of the 150m drop a Marilyn needs — DoBIH classes it a sub-Marilyn, a near-miss rather than a full Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Beinn Dearg?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Dearg. 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 Dearg?: 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 Dearg?: Poor. South Knapdale; limited coverage.
Is Beinn Dearg safe in winter?: Too low for reliable snow cover but exposed to coastal winds. Frozen bog underfoot is the most likely winter hazard.

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