Is Beinn Ghlas a hard climb?

Beinn Ghlas is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: A pleasing mix of farm track, sheep-cropped grass and short heather.

How much drop does Beinn Ghlas have?

The drop is 197m: measured from the summit of Beinn Ghlas down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Beinn Ghlas?

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

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Argyll

Beinn Ghlas

This lower Beinn Ghlas (Green-grey Hill) is the 420m high point of the long Kintyre ridge above Tarbert. From its crown you see Arran rising across Kilbrannan Sound and, on clear days, Antrim across the North Channel.

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

Quick facts

Height: 420m/ 1378ft
Prominence: 197 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 98930 99275
Nearest city: Oban· 33km
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 55% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A favourite line begins at Tarbert and follows farm tracks up onto the ridge, then a heather-and-grass crest north-east to the summit. Around 3 hours sees you up and back if conditions are dry.

Terrain

A pleasing mix of farm track, sheep-cropped grass and short heather. The ridge is broad enough to be safe in most conditions but narrow enough to keep direction obvious.

In winter

Mild Atlantic conditions are normal but rime ice forms on the trig pillar and ridge fenceposts in cold snaps. The exposed crest catches every gale that blows up the Kintyre peninsula.

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 39m
Edinburgh5h 19m

OS maps: OS Landranger 55, OS Explorer 360S

Mobile signal: Moderate. Kintyre; reasonable coverage on eastern side.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 46mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:47
Sunset: 21:05
Civil dawn: 05:03
Civil dusk: 21:49

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

station

Getting there: Loch Awe station

East shore Loch Awe; Ben Cruachan; Kilchurn Castle

31km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

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

33km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Ghlas — common questions

Is Beinn Ghlas a hard climb?: Beinn Ghlas is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: A pleasing mix of farm track, sheep-cropped grass and short heather.
How much drop does Beinn Ghlas have?: The drop is 197m: measured from the summit of Beinn Ghlas down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Beinn Ghlas?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Ghlas. 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 Ghlas?: 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 Ghlas?: Moderate. Kintyre; reasonable coverage on eastern side.
Is Beinn Ghlas safe in winter?: Mild Atlantic conditions are normal but rime ice forms on the trig pillar and ridge fenceposts in cold snaps. The exposed crest catches every gale that blows up the Kintyre peninsula.

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