How prominent is Beinn Ghlas?

Beinn Ghlas has 471m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Beinn Ghlas?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Ghlas 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 Ghlas?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Steven Brown / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Argyll

Beinn Ghlas

This 516m Beinn Ghlas (Green-grey Hill) lies above Kilchrenan in mid-Argyll, with a fine outlook to Ben Cruachan across Loch Awe. It is the higher of two Argyll Marilyns sharing the name.

Gaelic: “mountain, grey-green” · Pronunciation: bine glass

Quick facts

Height: 516.4m/ 1694ft
Prominence: 471 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NM 95751 25959
Nearest city: Oban· 11km
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 50% · grass slopes 35% · rocky outcrops 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Tracks from Kilchrenan or the B845 give the easiest start, leading up through forestry plantations before open heather slopes lead to the cairn. Allow 3 to 4 hours and expect occasional path-finding through felled blocks.

Terrain

Plantation forest dominates the lower half, replaced higher up by grass moor and scattered schist slabs. Felling and replanting mean the line of least resistance changes year to year.

In winter

Modest height limits prolonged snow cover, but iced-up forest tracks and slick conifer needles make grip patchy. Daylight is the bigger constraint in midwinter.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Ghlas. 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 3m
Edinburgh6h 36m

OS maps: OS Landranger 49, OS Explorer 360N

Mobile signal: Poor. Loch Awe / Lorn; both EE and Vodafone fail on this summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:46
Sunset: 21:06
Civil dawn: 05:01
Civil dusk: 21:51

NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026

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Around Beinn Ghlas on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

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

11km 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

11km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Beinn Ghlas — common questions

How hard is Beinn Ghlas?: We grade Beinn Ghlas at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Terrain: Plantation forest dominates the lower half, replaced higher up by grass moor and scattered schist slabs.
How prominent is Beinn Ghlas?: Beinn Ghlas has 471m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Beinn Ghlas?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Ghlas 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 Ghlas?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Ghlas?: Poor. Loch Awe / Lorn; both EE and Vodafone fail on this summit.
Is Beinn Ghlas safe in winter?: Modest height limits prolonged snow cover, but iced-up forest tracks and slick conifer needles make grip patchy. Daylight is the bigger constraint in midwinter.

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