How hard is Biod Mor?

We grade Biod Mor at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Good landrover track for most of the distance, then heathery moor with peat hags.

What is Biod Mor's prominence?

192m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Biod Mor 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 Biod Mor?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Biod Mor. 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 Biod Mor dog-friendly?

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

By Gary Innes

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

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Marilyn · Skye & The Small Isles

Biod Mor

Biod Mor (the big point) at 384m perches above Loch Bracadale in west Skye, looking out to the iconic sea stacks of Macleod's Maidens. The walk combines moorland with one of the most dramatic coastal panoramas on the island.

Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: biod more

Quick facts

Height: 384m/ 1260ft
Prominence: 192 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 37066 27384
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 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from Orbost and follow the Macleod's Maidens track south, branching off to climb the open hillside before the cliff edge. Around 12 km return with modest ascent.

Terrain

Good landrover track for most of the distance, then heathery moor with peat hags. Cliff edges are unfenced — stay back in strong winds.

In winter

Track approach makes this practical in winter. Atlantic squalls can be ferocious so close to the open sea cliffs.

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

Glasgow7h 33m
Edinburgh9h 53m

OS maps: OS Landranger 32, OS Explorer 411

Mobile signal: Poor. Every network fails on this remote Skye hill.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 39mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:55
Sunset: 21:04
Civil dawn: 05:10
Civil dusk: 21:49

NOAA Solar Calculator · 18 August 2026

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Around Biod Mor on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station

Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton

39km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Portree

Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr

20km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Talisker

Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied

5km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Biod Mor — common questions

How hard is Biod Mor?: We grade Biod Mor at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Good landrover track for most of the distance, then heathery moor with peat hags.
What is Biod Mor's prominence?: 192m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Biod Mor 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 Biod Mor?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Biod Mor. 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 Biod Mor 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 Biod Mor?: Poor. Every network fails on this remote Skye hill.
Is Biod Mor safe in winter?: Track approach makes this practical in winter. Atlantic squalls can be ferocious so close to the open sea cliffs.

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