Marilyn · Argyll
Ben Garrisdale
Ben Garrisdale rises to 373m above remote Garrisdale Bay on the wild Atlantic coast of northern Jura. This is one of the loneliest Marilyns in Scotland — a serious commitment requiring miles of trackless walking to reach the summit.
Quick facts
- Height
- 373m/ 1224ft
- Prominence
- 218 m
- Grid ref
- NR 64059 93826
- Nearest city
- Oban· 42km
- 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
heather and bog 60% · rocky slopes 25% · grass slopes 15%
From the end of the public road at Ardlussa, follow the rough track north then strike west across moorland for several kilometres. Allow 8-10 hours for the round trip with no fixed turn-around point.
Terrain
Long sections of estate track give way to entirely pathless moorland. The terrain is amongst the roughest on Jura — tussocks, peat and deep bog hollows.
In winter
Winter ascents are inadvisable for most walkers. Hebridean daylight is too short for the distance, and conditions can change without warning.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 2m
- Edinburgh7h 45m
Ferry access
Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura)
- Crossing time145 min
- Summer sailingsIslay: 1–2 CalMac sailings daily. Jura ferry: frequent throughout the day
- Winter sailingsIslay: 1 CalMac sailing daily. Jura ferry: reduced but regular
- Book ahead21 days
- Last ferry backLast Jura ferry ~17:00; last Islay sailing varies — check both timetables
Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (2h15), then the short Jura passenger ferry (10 min) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 55, OS Landranger 61, OS Explorer 355N
Mobile signal: Poor. A blanket dead zone on this Jura summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:23
- Sunset
- 21:37
- Civil dawn
- 04:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:26
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Ben Garrisdale on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
42km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
42km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Jura
Craighouse on Jura — island distillery in a single-street village
29km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ben Garrisdale — common questions
- How difficult is Ben Garrisdale?
- Ben Garrisdale carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Long sections of estate track give way to entirely pathless moorland.
- How much drop does Ben Garrisdale have?
- The drop is 218m: measured from the summit of Ben Garrisdale down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Ben Garrisdale?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Garrisdale. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Ben Garrisdale?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Ben Garrisdale?
- Poor. A blanket dead zone on this Jura summit.
- How do I get the ferry to Ben Garrisdale?
- Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura). Islay: 1–2 CalMac sailings daily. Jura ferry: frequent throughout the day in summer; Islay: 1 CalMac sailing daily. Jura ferry: reduced but regular in winter. Book at least 21 days ahead. Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (2h15), then the short Jura passenger ferry (10 min) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
- Is Ben Garrisdale safe in winter?
- Winter ascents are inadvisable for most walkers. Hebridean daylight is too short for the distance, and conditions can change without warning.
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.