![Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs0.geograph.org.uk%2Fgeophotos%2F06%2F21%2F18%2F6211859_e50ba04c.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_HxnhrACFBuHaG2wuQvfDwvzaqGXF)
Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]
Ben Scrien is the high point of Eriskay, the small island made famous by the 1941 SS Politician whisky-galore shipwreck. Just 186m, it crowns the island and offers a perfect microcosmic view of southern Uist seascape.
Quick facts
- Height
- 186m/ 610ft
- Grid ref
- NF 79524 11214
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
blanket bog 45% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · scree slopes 20%
Park near the Am Politician pub or causeway and climb directly up the southern flank on short turf and gneiss steps. The summit is reached in under an hour, with the descent best looping back via the coast.
Terrain
Short turf cropped tight by Eriskay ponies, with occasional gneiss steps and small patches of heather. Easy, well-drained underfoot terrain throughout.
In winter
A perfect all-season hill given its small scale and proximity to the causeway. Wind off the open Atlantic is the only real concern; snow and ice are vanishingly rare here.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow8h 29m
- Edinburgh11h 1m
Ferry access
Oban → Castlebay (Barra)
- Crossing time300 min
- Summer sailings1 sailing daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings4–5 sailings per week (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
A 5-hour crossing — plan an overnight stay. Alternative: fly to Barra Airport (beach landing), or reach via Eriskay → Ardmhor (Barra) after taking the South Uist ferry.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 31, OS Explorer 452N, OS Explorer 453S
Mobile signal: Poor. EE absent; bring offline maps for this trackless South Uist hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:26
- Civil dawn
- 03:25
- Civil dusk
- 23:34
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien] — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]?
- Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien] is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Short turf cropped tight by Eriskay ponies, with occasional gneiss steps and small patches of heather.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien] 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 Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]?
- 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 Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]?
- Poor. EE absent; bring offline maps for this trackless South Uist hill.
- How do I get the ferry to Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien]?
- Oban → Castlebay (Barra). 1 sailing daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings per week (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 5-hour crossing — plan an overnight stay. Alternative: fly to Barra Airport (beach landing), or reach via Eriskay → Ardmhor (Barra) after taking the South Uist ferry.
- Is Beinn Sgritheann [Ben Scrien] safe in winter?
- A perfect all-season hill given its small scale and proximity to the causeway. Wind off the open Atlantic is the only real concern; snow and ice are vanishingly rare here.
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