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
- Grid ref
- NG 80013 12846
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 49km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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
- 04:26
- Sunset
- 22:20
- Civil dawn
- 03:17
- Civil dusk
- 23:29
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Beinn Mhialairigh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Mhialairigh — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Mhialairigh?
- Beinn Mhialairigh is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. 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.
- When is the best time to 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?
- 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 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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