What difficulty is Beneraird?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beneraird comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Plantation tracks then open heather and tussock; the upper hill is firm with occasional peat hags between outcrops.

How much drop does Beneraird have?

The drop is 307m: measured from the summit of Beneraird 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 Beneraird?

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

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

By Gary

Photo: Billy McCrorie / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Beneraird

A 439m Carrick Marilyn at NX 13 east of Ballantrae, perched above the wild coast of South Ayrshire. Beneraird gives a sea-and-hill panorama from Ailsa Craig across to the Galloway Forest.

Quick facts

Height: 439m/ 1440ft
Prominence: 307 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NX 13548 78513
Nearest city: Glasgow· 98km
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% · boggy ground 25% · rocky summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the minor road at Glen App and climb north-east through forestry breaks onto the open ridge. The summit lies at the north end of a broad heather plateau — 3 hours round trip.

Terrain

Plantation tracks then open heather and tussock; the upper hill is firm with occasional peat hags between outcrops.

In winter

Atlantic air keeps Beneraird largely snow-free, but the exposed ridge catches strong south-westerlies. Pick a settled day for the views.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beneraird. 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 Southern Uplands ↗ 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

Glasgow3h 41m
Edinburgh5h 2m

OS maps: OS Landranger 76, OS Explorer 317

Mobile signal: Poor. Galloway; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 05mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:41
Civil dawn: 06:13
Civil dusk: 20:18

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Beneraird on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ayr station

Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car

48km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Brodick

Arran base — Goat Fell, Glen Rosa, the Arran ridge

59km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beneraird — common questions

What difficulty is Beneraird?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beneraird comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Plantation tracks then open heather and tussock; the upper hill is firm with occasional peat hags between outcrops.
How much drop does Beneraird have?: The drop is 307m: measured from the summit of Beneraird 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 Beneraird?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Beneraird. 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 Beneraird?: 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 Beneraird?: Poor. Galloway; limited coverage.
Is Beneraird safe in winter?: Atlantic air keeps Beneraird largely snow-free, but the exposed ridge catches strong south-westerlies. Pick a settled day for the views.

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