Marilyn · Kintail
Beinn Mhialairigh
Beinn Mhialairigh stands at 548m on the Glenelg peninsula, looking straight across the Sound of Sleat to the southern shore of Skye. The summit gives one of the finest unsung coastal views in the western Highlands, with Knoydart filling the southern horizon.
Quick facts
- Height
- 548m/ 1798ft
- Prominence
- 194 m
- Grid ref
- NG 80013 12846
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 49km
- 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 moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
From the road end at Arnisdale on Loch Hourn, take the track north and then strike up the heather-and-bracken hillside. Steep in places but never technical; about 3 to 4 hours up and down, with the option of a longer round over Beinn nan Caorach to the north-east.
Terrain
Coastal bracken on the lower slopes, especially nasty in midsummer; above that a clean climb on heather and short turf with occasional moss-covered rock steps. The Lewisian gneiss bedrock makes for unusually grippy footing in the dry.
In winter
A coastal hill at 548m: snow comes briefly with Atlantic fronts and usually melts within a few days. The hazard is wind-driven sleet rather than deep snow. Spikes useful for wet rock and occasional verglas; full winter kit rarely needed.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 54m
- Edinburgh7h 4m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 413S
Mobile signal: Patchy. Reception on the summit looking across to Skye; the Loch Hourn approach is dead ground.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:16
- Sunset
- 21:42
- Civil dawn
- 04:24
- Civil dusk
- 22:34
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Beinn Mhialairigh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Mhialairigh — common questions
- What difficulty is Beinn Mhialairigh?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Mhialairigh comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Terrain: Coastal bracken on the lower slopes, especially nasty in midsummer; above that a clean climb on heather and short turf with occasional moss-covered rock steps.
- How prominent is Beinn Mhialairigh?
- Beinn Mhialairigh has 194m 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 Mhialairigh?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Mhialairigh 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 Mhialairigh?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Beinn Mhialairigh?
- Patchy. Reception on the summit looking across to Skye; the Loch Hourn approach is dead ground.
- Is Beinn Mhialairigh safe in winter?
- A coastal hill at 548m: snow comes briefly with Atlantic fronts and usually melts within a few days. The hazard is wind-driven sleet rather than deep snow. Spikes useful for wet rock and occasional verglas; full winter kit rarely needed.
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