How hard is Glas Bheinn?

We grade Glas Bheinn at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Surprisingly well-drained turf on the upper slopes thanks to the limestone bedrock.

What is Glas Bheinn's prominence?

208m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Glas Bheinn 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 Glas Bheinn?

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

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

How do I get the ferry to Glas Bheinn?

Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Port Ellen closed for rebuilding until 2029). Check the CalMac summer timetable in summer; 3–5 sailings a day each way (winter 2026/27 timetable) in winter.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Becky Williamson / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Marilyn · Argyll & Bute

Glas Bheinn

Glas Bheinn on Islay is the close neighbour of Beinn Bheigier — a 472m hill on the same wild eastern moorland. Its limestone-influenced geology gives surprisingly green, drained turf in contrast to the boggy approach.

Gaelic: “grey-green” · Pronunciation: glass bheinn

Quick facts

Height: 472m/ 1549ft
Prominence: 208 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 42977 59196
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

limestone grassland 40% · heather moorland 40% · rocky outcrops 20%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Often combined with Beinn Bheigier from Ardtalla, taking the ridge link between the two summits. As a stand-alone ascent allow 3-4 hours. There is no path either way.

Terrain

Surprisingly well-drained turf on the upper slopes thanks to the limestone bedrock. The approach moor is wetter and tussockier.

In winter

Snow is unusual on Islay. The bigger risk is high wind on the exposed upper ridge — gales of 60mph are not unusual in winter and make the summit untenable.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Glas Bheinn. 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 West 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

Glasgow5h 47m
Edinburgh8h 32m

Ferry access

Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Port Ellen closed for rebuilding until 2029)

Crossing time115 min
Summer sailingsCheck the CalMac summer timetable
Winter sailings3–5 sailings a day each way (winter 2026/27 timetable)
Last ferry backWinter 2026/27: last sailing from Port Askaig between 17:25 and 18:05, depending on the day

Book on CalMac ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 60, OS Explorer 352

Mobile signal: Moderate. Islay; EE reliable near Bowmore.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

10h 12mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:42
Sunset: 16:34
Civil dawn: 07:02
Civil dusk: 17:14

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 November 2026

Got a photo of Glas Bheinn?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Glas Bheinn on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Campbeltown

Kintyre Way finish; Mull of Kintyre; whisky town

48km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Caol Ila

Islay east coast — lighter Islay style; views across the Sound of Islay to Jura

11km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. In winter also read the avalanche forecast from SAIS, and know that a hill outside their six forecast areas has no avalanche forecast at all — not that it has no avalanche risk. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Glas Bheinn — common questions

How hard is Glas Bheinn?: We grade Glas Bheinn at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Surprisingly well-drained turf on the upper slopes thanks to the limestone bedrock.
What is Glas Bheinn's prominence?: 208m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Glas Bheinn 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 Glas Bheinn?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Glas Bheinn. 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 Glas Bheinn 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 Glas Bheinn?: Moderate. Islay; EE reliable near Bowmore.
How do I get the ferry to Glas Bheinn?: Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Port Ellen closed for rebuilding until 2029). Check the CalMac summer timetable in summer; 3–5 sailings a day each way (winter 2026/27 timetable) in winter.
Is Glas Bheinn safe in winter?: Snow is unusual on Islay. The bigger risk is high wind on the exposed upper ridge — gales of 60mph are not unusual in winter and make the summit untenable.

Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly

One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.