Is Ben Horn a hard climb?

Ben Horn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Mixed forestry rides and open heather, with a tidy grassy summit.

How much drop does Ben Horn have?

The drop is 354m: measured from the summit of Ben Horn 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 Horn?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Horn. 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 Horn?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Mick Crawley / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Prominence: 354 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NC 80728 06336
Nearest city: Inverness· 63km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

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.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Ben Horn. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow6h 39m
Edinburgh6h 48m

OS maps: OS Landranger 17, OS Explorer 441E

Mobile signal: Mixed. EE fitful up top; improves toward Brora.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 18mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:43
Sunset: 19:41
Civil dawn: 06:03
Civil dusk: 20:21

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Ben Horn on the SCOT network

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

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Clynelish

Brora — waxy, coastal-Highland classic on the Far North line

10km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Ben Horn — common questions

Is Ben Horn a hard climb?: Ben Horn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Mixed forestry rides and open heather, with a tidy grassy summit.
How much drop does Ben Horn have?: The drop is 354m: measured from the summit of Ben Horn 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 Horn?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Horn. 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 Horn?: 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 Horn?: Mixed. EE fitful up top; improves 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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