![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_kBcRtsn9UmL3ygUbvkFo9GhaTr12)
Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Beinn Ra [Ben Raah]
Beinn Ra (Ben Raah) is the highest point of Taransay, the island lying off the west coast of Harris across the Sound of Taransay from Luskentyre. The 267m summit is more rounded than dramatic, but the panorama back over the Harris beaches 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).
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
blanket bog 50% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · rocky summit 15%
There is no road or scheduled ferry to Taransay: the hill is only reachable by arranging a private boat or charter across the Sound of Taransay. Once ashore, rough grass and heather lead to the summit cairn. Agree the pick-up time with whoever takes you over before you set off up the hill.
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.
Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 53m
- Edinburgh11h 6m
OS maps: OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 455, OS Explorer 456
Mobile signal: Poor. No carrier reaches this summit; download maps before leaving Harris.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:32
- Sunset
- 16:52
- Civil dawn
- 06:50
- Civil dusk
- 17:33
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 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 before leaving Harris.
- 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.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.