![Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs0.geograph.org.uk%2Fgeophotos%2F03%2F68%2F48%2F3684811_56ded9c9.jpg&w=1920&q=75&dpl=dpl_CBXtfUkJx6W89LDicVXehL74AYLp)
Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]
Beinn Ra rises directly above the famous white sands of Luskentyre on West Harris, giving it one of the best beach views of any Scottish hill. The 267m summit is more rounded than dramatic, but the panorama over the bay is unforgettable.
Quick facts
- Height
- 267m/ 876ft
- Prominence
- 267 m
- Grid ref
- NB 03439 01905
- 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
blanket bog 50% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · rocky summit 15%
A short pull from the minor road at Seilebost or Luskentyre, climbing rough grass and heather to the summit cairn. Expect under two hours up and down, but linger at the top to take in the turquoise water below.
Terrain
Rough grass and heather over peat, with patches of bare gneiss higher up. The lower slopes are crofted in places, so close gates and keep dogs under tight control near sheep.
In winter
A genuinely all-season hill thanks to its short length and low altitude. Wind off the Atlantic is the main concern; snow seldom lies for more than a day or two even in deep winter.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 53m
- Edinburgh11h 6m
Ferry access
Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris)
- Crossing time105 min
- Summer sailings2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — last sailing to Uig varies seasonally
Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 455, OS Explorer 456
Mobile signal: Poor. No carrier reaches this summit; download maps at Lochmaddy before leaving.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 21:52
- Civil dawn
- 04:23
- Civil dusk
- 22:46
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Beinn Ra [Ben Raah] on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Ra [Ben Raah] — common questions
- Is Beinn Ra [Ben Raah] a hard climb?
- Beinn Ra [Ben Raah] is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Rough grass and heather over peat, with patches of bare gneiss higher up.
- What is Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]'s prominence?
- Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]'s prominence is its full height — 267m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Beinn Ra [Ben Raah] dog-friendly?
- 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 Ra [Ben Raah]?
- Poor. No carrier reaches this summit; download maps at Lochmaddy before leaving.
- How do I get the ferry to Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]?
- Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.
- Is Beinn Ra [Ben Raah] safe in winter?
- A genuinely all-season hill thanks to its short length and low altitude. Wind off the Atlantic is the main concern; snow seldom lies for more than a day or two even in deep winter.
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