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Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]
Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire — the eagle's clumped peak — is a 528m Marilyn in NN-square Lochaber, occupying the high ground between Loch Arkaig and Glen Loy north-east of Banavie. The summit gives an unusual angle on Ben Nevis from the west, with the Great Glen falling away to the south.
Gaelic: “pinnacle, of the, eagle, of the” · Pronunciation: bee-jen bad na h ull-ar-a [bidein bad na h iolaire]
Quick facts
- Height
- 528m/ 1732ft
- Prominence
- 263 m
- Grid ref
- NN 11492 70797
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 3km
- 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% · rocky slopes 25% · bog and wet grass 15%
Access is via the Glen Loy minor road from Banavie: park near Errocht and follow the forest tracks north onto open hillside, then climb the steep south-east shoulder on rough heather. The summit ridge has a small cairn and several rocky knolls — the trig is on the central rise.
Terrain
Forestry track gives way to clearfell ground in places — drifted brash slows progress on the upper edge. Above the trees the hill is short heather, peat and outcrop with several small lochans on the broad summit.
In winter
A 528m hill in maritime Lochaber rarely holds deep snow but commonly gathers verglas on the summit slabs after a freeze. The forest track is a useful sheltered descent in bad weather; mark its top end before leaving it.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 14m
- Edinburgh5h 22m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41, OS Explorer 392
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Loch Quoich area; very limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:16
- Sunset
- 21:38
- Civil dawn
- 04:25
- Civil dusk
- 22:29
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
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Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Base yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
3km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
5km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] — common questions
- How hard is Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]?
- We grade Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Ground conditions: Forestry track gives way to clearfell ground in places — drifted brash slows progress on the upper edge.
- How much drop does Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] have?
- The drop is 263m: measured from the summit of Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] 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 Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]. 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 Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]?
- 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 Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]?
- Poor. Remote Loch Quoich area; very limited coverage.
- Is Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] safe in winter?
- A 528m hill in maritime Lochaber rarely holds deep snow but commonly gathers verglas on the summit slabs after a freeze. The forest track is a useful sheltered descent in bad weather; mark its top end before leaving it.
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