Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill
Sgorr Dhonuill (1001m) — "Donald's peak" — is the western Munro of Beinn a' Bheithir, the double-peaked mountain that walls in the south side of Loch Leven above Ballachulish. The hill is the slightly lower but no less elegant twin of Sgorr Dhearg, the two linked by a narrow, partially-rocky ridge. The summit gives panoramic seaward views across the Firth of Lorn to Mull and Morvern, and on clear days the Paps of Jura are visible far to the south.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1002.1m/ 3288ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 882 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN040555
- Parking
- NN036586
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Forest path 25% · Open hillside 35% · Summit ridge 40%
See Sgorr Dhearg for the standard Beinn a' Bheithir horseshoe; Sgorr Dhonuill is the second summit on the round. From Sgorr Dhearg, follow the narrow rocky connecting ridge west to Sgorr Dhonuill — about 1km of airy traversing. Descend the long north-west ridge through the forestry plantation back to Ballachulish. Around 11km with 1300m of ascent for the pair. Sgorr Dhonuill direct from the Ballachulish forest is 8km with 1000m up.
Terrain
The connecting ridge between Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill is the technical interest of the round — narrow, rocky and exposed on both sides. The Sgorr Dhonuill summit itself is a small rocky platform. The north-west ridge descent towards Ballachulish drops steeply onto forestry — the path through the trees is wet, rooty and slow. Direct ascents from the Ballachulish forest track are sustained steep heathery hillside.
In winter
A serious west-coast winter ridge. The narrow connecting ridge between the two Munros develops continuous cornicing depending on wind direction. Slopes facing north into the Glen Creran corries wind-load heavily after south-westerlies and have produced repeated slab releases. The Ballachulish forest tracks can be drifted but the A82 stays gritted. Phone signal in Ballachulish village is good; absent on the high ridges. SAIS Glencoe applies.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 15m
- Edinburgh3h 7m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: Reasonable signal in Ballachulish. Signal weakens above 700m. Download maps before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 23:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill.
Around Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Fort William station
Ben Nevis, Mamores, Aonachs, Knoydart ferry connection
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
20km 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
22km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill — common questions
- How hard is Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill?
- Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 882m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The connecting ridge between Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill is the technical interest of the round — narrow, rocky and exposed on both sides.
- Where do I park for Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill?
- Standard parking is at NN036586 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill are 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 Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill?
- 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 Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill?
- Reasonable signal in Ballachulish. Signal weakens above 700m. Download maps before setting off.
- Is Beinn a' Bheithir - Sgorr Dhonuill safe in winter?
- A serious west-coast winter ridge. The narrow connecting ridge between the two Munros develops continuous cornicing depending on wind direction. Slopes facing north into the Glen Creran corries wind-load heavily after south-westerlies and have produced repeated slab releases. The Ballachulish forest tracks can be drifted but the A82 stays gritted. Phone signal in Ballachulish village is good; absent on the high ridges. SAIS Glencoe applies.
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