Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Ben Hiant
Ben Hiant — the Holy Mountain — is the most striking hill on Ardnamurchan, rising in a shapely double-headed cone above the Sound of Mull. Although only 528m, it is the eroded core of a Tertiary volcano, and the ascent picks its way through dykes and lava cliffs. The summit view is one of the most expansive in the western Highlands, taking in Mull, Coll, Tiree, Rum and Eigg.
Quick facts
- Height
- 528m/ 1732ft
- Grid ref
- NM 53769 63255
- Nearest city
- Oban· 46km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather and bog 50% · igneous rock 35% · grass slopes 15%
Start from the small layby at MacLean's Nose on the B8007 and follow the obvious grassy ramp eastwards onto the broad south ridge. A faint path threads up between basalt outcrops to the trig point. Around three hours up and down at a steady pace.
Terrain
A mix of cropped turf, exposed slabs of dark basalt and occasional volcanic scree. The path is intermittent but route-finding is easy in clear weather. Grass can be greasy after rain on the steeper rock steps.
In winter
Light snow cover is possible but rarely lasts. The greater hazard is wind — Ben Hiant's isolated profile catches Atlantic gales head on, and wet grass on the volcanic ramps becomes treacherous when frozen.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 4m
- Edinburgh8h 35m
OS maps: OS Landranger 47, OS Explorer 390W
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Ardnamurchan tip; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:18
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:24
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Ben Hiant on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Morar station
Silver Sands, Knoydart approach, Loch Morar
32km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Tobermory
Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tobermory
Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky
8km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ben Hiant — common questions
- How hard is Ben Hiant?
- Ben Hiant is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A mix of cropped turf, exposed slabs of dark basalt and occasional volcanic scree.
- When is the best time to climb Ben Hiant?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Hiant 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 Hiant?
- 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 Hiant?
- Poor. Remote Ardnamurchan tip; limited coverage.
- Is Ben Hiant safe in winter?
- Light snow cover is possible but rarely lasts. The greater hazard is wind — Ben Hiant's isolated profile catches Atlantic gales head on, and wet grass on the volcanic ramps becomes treacherous when frozen.
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