How difficult is Bennan?

Bennan carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Sheep pasture leads onto a short heather and grass mantle.

What is Bennan's prominence?

186m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Bennan to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Bennan?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Bennan. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Bennan dog-friendly?

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

By Gary

Photo: Trevor Littlewood / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Bennan

Bennan stands at 398m on the NX-grid Cairn Water moors, a small Dumfriesshire summit between Dunscore and Glencairn parish. The Gaelic root of the name ("peak") still suits the abrupt rise above farmland below.

Quick facts

Height: 398m/ 1306ft
Prominence: 186 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NX 82186 76963
Nearest city: Dumfries· 15km
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 30% · rocky summit 10%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the minor road at Stroquhan or a layby near Bennan Cottage and climb directly through fields onto open hill. Under two hours of unhurried walking reaches the summit and back.

Terrain

Sheep pasture leads onto a short heather and grass mantle. Walls and fences need stiles or careful crossing on the lower section.

In winter

A friendly short-day winter walk that almost never carries lasting snow. Pasture mud and frozen ruts are the principal obstacles.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Bennan. 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

Glasgow2h 17m
Edinburgh3h 50m

OS maps: OS Landranger 84, OS Explorer 313, OS Explorer 321

Mobile signal: Good. Dumfriesshire; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 06mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:45
Sunset: 19:37
Civil dawn: 06:08
Civil dusk: 20:14

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Bennan on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kirkcudbright

Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail

30km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Bennan — common questions

How difficult is Bennan?: Bennan carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Sheep pasture leads onto a short heather and grass mantle.
What is Bennan's prominence?: 186m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Bennan to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Bennan?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Bennan. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Bennan dog-friendly?: 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 Bennan?: Good. Dumfriesshire; EE reliable.
Is Bennan safe in winter?: A friendly short-day winter walk that almost never carries lasting snow. Pasture mud and frozen ruts are the principal obstacles.

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