Is Beinn Mhor a hard climb?

Beinn Mhor is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Knolly Lewisian gneiss bedrock with peaty hollows filling every depression.

How prominent is Beinn Mhor?

Beinn Mhor's prominence is its full height — 185m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Beinn Mhor?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Mhor 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 Mhor?

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

How do I get the ferry to Beinn Mhor?

Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy (North Uist). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. The Western Isles causeways link North Uist, Benbecula, and South Uist — drive between them once on the island.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Claire Pegrum / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

Beinn Mhor

This Beinn Mhor — distinct from its taller South Uist namesake — is a 190m gneiss summit on the eastern peninsula of North Uist near Lochmaddy. The hill commands views over Loch nam Madadh and across to the Skye Cuillin in good weather.

Gaelic: “mountain, big” · Pronunciation: bine vore

Quick facts

Height: 190m/ 623ft
Prominence: 185 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NF 89801 76156
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

Lewisian gneiss 50% · rough grassland 30% · blanket bog 20%

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Best tackled from a parking spot on the B894 east of Lochmaddy, crossing rough moor and gneiss slabs to the broad summit. A two-to-three-hour outing depending on how much wandering you indulge in along the way.

Terrain

Knolly Lewisian gneiss bedrock with peaty hollows filling every depression. There are no paths and many false summits to work around.

In winter

Sheltered to a degree by the eastern peninsulas, this hill catches the worst of any easterly weather rolling off the Minch. Snow seldom lies; gales and saturated ground are the seasonal staples.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Mhor. 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. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, 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

Glasgow9h 58m
Edinburgh11h 18m

Ferry access

Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy (North Uist)

Crossing time105 min
Summer sailings2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailings1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead14 days
Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable

The Western Isles causeways link North Uist, Benbecula, and South Uist — drive between them once on the island.

Book on CalMac ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 454E

Mobile signal: Poor. Harris; limited coverage in remote glens.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 05mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:49
Sunset: 21:19
Civil dawn: 05:01
Civil dusk: 22:06

NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026

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Around Beinn Mhor on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Tarbert (Harris)

Harris base — Clisham, Luskentyre, Hebridean Way

35km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Mhor — common questions

Is Beinn Mhor a hard climb?: Beinn Mhor is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Knolly Lewisian gneiss bedrock with peaty hollows filling every depression.
How prominent is Beinn Mhor?: Beinn Mhor's prominence is its full height — 185m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Beinn Mhor?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Mhor 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 Mhor?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Mhor?: Poor. Harris; limited coverage in remote glens.
How do I get the ferry to Beinn Mhor?: Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy (North Uist). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. The Western Isles causeways link North Uist, Benbecula, and South Uist — drive between them once on the island.
Is Beinn Mhor safe in winter?: Sheltered to a degree by the eastern peninsulas, this hill catches the worst of any easterly weather rolling off the Minch. Snow seldom lies; gales and saturated ground are the seasonal staples.

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