Marilyn · Argyll
Glas Bheinn
Glas Bheinn — the Grey-Green Hill — sits at 562m on southern Jura just inland from the Sound of Islay. Quartzite slabs catch the light from miles away, lending the hill a paler, almost alpine look amid the heather wilderness.
Gaelic: “grey-green” · Pronunciation: glass bheinn
Quick facts
- Height
- 562m/ 1844ft
- Prominence
- 279 m
- Grid ref
- NR 50038 69895
- 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
quartzite moorland 45% · heather moorland 35% · boggy ground 20%
Begin from the A846 near Keils and follow open moorland north-west, gaining height steadily over awkward ground. The summit lies on the third or fourth false top. Round trip 5-6 hours.
Terrain
Pale quartzite scree and slabs above; deep heather and bog below. Some of the scree shifts underfoot and demands care on descent.
In winter
Snow flecking the quartzite slabs is unusual but striking when it occurs. Winter access is feasible in calm weather; gales make the exposed upper slopes uncomfortable.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 31m
- Edinburgh7h 16m
Ferry access
Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura)
- Crossing time145 min
- Summer sailingsIslay: 1–2 CalMac sailings daily. Jura ferry: frequent throughout the day
- Winter sailingsIslay: 1 CalMac sailing daily. Jura ferry: reduced but regular
- Book ahead21 days
- Last ferry backLast Jura ferry ~17:00; last Islay sailing varies — check both timetables
Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (2h15), then the short Jura passenger ferry (10 min) 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 355S
Mobile signal: Very poor. Jura; limited coverage away from Craighouse.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:51
- Sunset
- 21:07
- Civil dawn
- 05:07
- Civil dusk
- 21:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026
Around Glas Bheinn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Glas Bheinn — common questions
- Is Glas Bheinn a hard climb?
- Glas Bheinn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Pale quartzite scree and slabs above; deep heather and bog below.
- How much drop does Glas Bheinn have?
- The drop is 279m: measured from the summit of Glas Bheinn 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 Glas Bheinn?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Glas Bheinn. 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 Glas Bheinn?
- 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 Glas Bheinn?
- Very poor. Jura; limited coverage away from Craighouse.
- How do I get the ferry to Glas Bheinn?
- Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura). Islay: 1–2 CalMac sailings daily. Jura ferry: frequent throughout the day in summer; Islay: 1 CalMac sailing daily. Jura ferry: reduced but regular in winter. Book at least 21 days ahead. Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (2h15), then the short Jura passenger ferry (10 min) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
- Is Glas Bheinn safe in winter?
- Snow flecking the quartzite slabs is unusual but striking when it occurs. Winter access is feasible in calm weather; gales make the exposed upper slopes uncomfortable.
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