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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
- Grid ref
- NN 11492 70797
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 3km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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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
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:21
- Civil dusk
- 23:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
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Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Fort William station
Ben Nevis, Mamores, Aonachs, Knoydart ferry connection
3km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase 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]?
- Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry track gives way to clearfell ground in places — drifted brash slows progress on the upper edge.
- When is the best time to climb Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]?
- The standard good-weather months for Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire] 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 Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]?
- 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 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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