How hard is Ben Garrisdale?

Ben Garrisdale is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Long sections of estate track give way to entirely pathless moorland.

When is the best time to climb Ben Garrisdale?

The standard good-weather months for Ben Garrisdale 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 Ben Garrisdale?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

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.

How hard is Ben Garrisdale?

Ben Garrisdale is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Long sections of estate track give way to entirely pathless moorland.

When is the best time to climb Ben Garrisdale?

The standard good-weather months for Ben Garrisdale 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 Ben Garrisdale?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

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.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 64059 93826
Nearest city: Oban· 42km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather and bog 60% · rocky slopes 25% · grass slopes 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

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

Best OK Avoid

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. Dead zone for all networks on this Jura summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 42mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:36
Sunset: 22:12
Civil dawn: 03:33
Civil dusk: 23:15

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Ben Garrisdale on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Oban station

Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections

42km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra

42km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After 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 hard is Ben Garrisdale?: Ben Garrisdale is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Long sections of estate track give way to entirely pathless moorland.
When is the best time to climb Ben Garrisdale?: The standard good-weather months for Ben Garrisdale 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 Ben Garrisdale?: 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 Ben Garrisdale?: Poor. Dead zone for all networks 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.

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