How difficult is Beinn Sgeireach?

Beinn Sgeireach carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A patchwork of low gneiss skerries — small rocky outcrops separated by saturated peat.

How prominent is Beinn Sgeireach?

Beinn Sgeireach has 157m 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 Sgeireach?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Sgeireach 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 Sgeireach?

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

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Mick Crawley / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Beinn Sgeireach

Beinn Sgeireach — the Skerry-Hill — rises to 476m above the south-west side of Loch Shin at NC 453 118, among lochan-pitted moors that drain to the loch. The A838 runs along the opposite shore.

Quick facts

Height: 476m/ 1562ft
Prominence: 157 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NC 45357 11812
Nearest city: Inverness· 70km
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

heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

The hill is on the far side of Loch Shin from the A838, so the Loch Merkland start sometimes given does not work. We have not verified a route: plan one from the map, and expect wet, pathless ground.

Terrain

A patchwork of low gneiss skerries — small rocky outcrops separated by saturated peat. The upper slopes firm up to short heath but the lower approach is among the wettest going in Sutherland.

In winter

Freezing the bogs makes this hill far more pleasant in winter than summer, and snow seldom lies deep on the modest summit. Watch for verglas glazing the skerries after thaw-refreeze cycles.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Sgeireach. 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. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, 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

Glasgow6h 48m
Edinburgh7h 37m

OS maps: OS Landranger 16, OS Explorer 440S

Mobile signal: Poor. An all-network dead zone; OS map and compass essential.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

10h 42mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:23
Sunset: 16:42
Civil dawn: 06:41
Civil dusk: 17:23

NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026

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Around Beinn Sgeireach on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Lairg station

Central Sutherland; Ben Klibreck approach; gateway to Far North inland

15km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ullapool

Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access

37km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Sgeireach — common questions

How difficult is Beinn Sgeireach?: Beinn Sgeireach carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A patchwork of low gneiss skerries — small rocky outcrops separated by saturated peat.
How prominent is Beinn Sgeireach?: Beinn Sgeireach has 157m 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 Sgeireach?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Sgeireach 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 Sgeireach?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Sgeireach?: Poor. An all-network dead zone; OS map and compass essential.
Is Beinn Sgeireach safe in winter?: Freezing the bogs makes this hill far more pleasant in winter than summer, and snow seldom lies deep on the modest summit. Watch for verglas glazing the skerries after thaw-refreeze cycles.

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