Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Dubh Bheinn
Dubh Bheinn — the Black Hill — rises to 485m on northern Jura. The dark, almost peat-stained rocks above tussocky moorland justify the name. Few visitors, no path, big sea views to Scarba and Mull.
Gaelic: “black” · Pronunciation: doo bheinn
Quick facts
- Height
- 485m/ 1591ft
- Prominence
- 468 m
- Grid ref
- NR 58136 88962
- Nearest city
- Oban· 50km
- 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 and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
The usual line begins from the A846 near Ardlussa, crossing several kilometres of pathless moor to reach the foot of the hill. The final pull is short and steep. Allow 5-6 hours.
Terrain
Persistent bog and tussock on the approach. The summit cone steepens onto cleaner ground with patches of heather and rock.
In winter
Winter walking is feasible in settled high pressure when the bog freezes. Otherwise the approach becomes a slog and short daylight is restrictive.
Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 15m
- Edinburgh7h 58m
Ferry access
Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura)
- Crossing time115 min
- Summer sailingsIslay: check the CalMac summer timetable. Jura ferry: check the Argyll & Bute summer timetable
- Winter sailingsWinter 2026/27: Islay 3–5 CalMac sailings a day each way; Jura ferry 16 departures Mon–Sat, 6 on Sunday
- Last ferry backWinter 2026/27: last Jura ferry leaves Port Askaig 18:30 and turns round quickly at Feolin; last CalMac sailing from Port Askaig 17:25–18:05. Check both timetables
Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (about 1h55), then Argyll & Bute Council's turn-up-and-go Jura ferry (vehicles and foot passengers) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 61, OS Explorer 355N
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Jura/Islay; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:21
- Sunset
- 16:53
- Civil dawn
- 06:42
- Civil dusk
- 17:32
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
Around Dubh Bheinn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
49km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
49km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Jura
Craighouse on Jura — island distillery in a single-street village
22km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Dubh Bheinn — common questions
- How difficult is Dubh Bheinn?
- Dubh Bheinn carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Persistent bog and tussock on the approach.
- How prominent is Dubh Bheinn?
- Dubh Bheinn has 468m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I climb Dubh Bheinn?
- The standard good-weather months for Dubh Bheinn 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 Dubh Bheinn?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Dubh Bheinn?
- Poor. Remote Jura/Islay; limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Dubh Bheinn?
- Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura). Islay: check the CalMac summer timetable. Jura ferry: check the Argyll & Bute summer timetable in summer; Winter 2026/27: Islay 3–5 CalMac sailings a day each way; Jura ferry 16 departures Mon–Sat, 6 on Sunday in winter. Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (about 1h55), then Argyll & Bute Council's turn-up-and-go Jura ferry (vehicles and foot passengers) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
- Is Dubh Bheinn safe in winter?
- Winter walking is feasible in settled high pressure when the bog freezes. Otherwise the approach becomes a slog and short daylight is restrictive.
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