Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Ben Horn
Ben Horn is a prominent 520m hill in the NC80 grid square overlooking Loch Horn west of Brora. Its conical profile from the coast makes it one of the more recognisable east-Sutherland summits.
Quick facts
- Height
- 520m/ 1706ft
- Grid ref
- NC 80728 06336
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 63km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
Start from the minor road by Loch Brora, drive or cycle a forestry track up the Black Water, then take the southwest spur to the cairn. Around 4 hours.
Terrain
Mixed forestry rides and open heather, with a tidy grassy summit. One of the drier east-Sutherland hills underfoot.
In winter
A genuine winter favourite in this region — the south slope catches early sun and the gradients suit microspikes rather than crampons.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 39m
- Edinburgh6h 48m
OS maps: OS Landranger 17, OS Explorer 441E
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent on summit; better toward Brora.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:12
- Sunset
- 22:21
- Civil dawn
- 02:57
- Civil dusk
- 23:37
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Ben Horn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ben Horn — common questions
- How hard is Ben Horn?
- Ben Horn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mixed forestry rides and open heather, with a tidy grassy summit.
- When is the best time to climb Ben Horn?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Horn 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 Horn?
- 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 Horn?
- Moderate. EE intermittent on summit; better toward Brora.
- Is Ben Horn safe in winter?
- A genuine winter favourite in this region — the south slope catches early sun and the gradients suit microspikes rather than crampons.
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