Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Beinn Dubhain
Beinn Dubhain — possibly "wee dark hill" — is a 417m heathery dome in the NC93 grid square south of Kinbrace, deep in the Langwell-Helmsdale watershed. North-West Highlands summit at 417 m.
Quick facts
- Height
- 417m/ 1368ft
- Prominence
- 223 m
- Grid ref
- NC 93682 20704
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 80km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
Park at the head of the Helmsdale strath near Kildonan, then follow estate tracks west and pull onto the southern flank of the hill. Allow 4-5 hours.
Terrain
Coarse heather and dark peat give the hill its name. Lower slopes are crossed by old grouse butts and tracks; the cairn sits on a small mossy rise.
In winter
Short days are the chief winter concern. Snow rarely lies deep but ground ice on the track makes the bike-in approach risky.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 4m
- Edinburgh6h 57m
OS maps: OS Landranger 17, OS Explorer 444W
Mobile signal: Poor. No signal. Remote North-West Sutherland is largely off-grid.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:41
- Civil dawn
- 04:08
- Civil dusk
- 22:36
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Beinn Dubhain on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Dubhain — common questions
- How difficult is Beinn Dubhain?
- Beinn Dubhain carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Coarse heather and dark peat give the hill its name.
- What is Beinn Dubhain's prominence?
- 223m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Beinn Dubhain 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 Dubhain?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Dubhain. 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 Dubhain 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 Dubhain?
- Poor. No signal. Remote North-West Sutherland is largely off-grid.
- Is Beinn Dubhain safe in winter?
- Short days are the chief winter concern. Snow rarely lies deep but ground ice on the track makes the bike-in approach risky.
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