Munro · North-West Highlands
Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich
Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich (922m) is a prominent mountain in the wild sandstone mountains of the North-West Highlands. It shares ridgeline connections with neighbouring hills, making it a natural addition to a longer day combining two or three summits. The summit, marked by a cairn and trig point on plinth, gives views of the Minch, the Outer Hebrides and the rugged Atlantic coastline. The nearest town is Ullapool in Highland.
Gaelic: “mountain, peak” · Pronunciation: bine
Quick facts
- Height
- 922m/ 3025ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 811 m
- Time
- 4.6 hrs
- Difficulty
- 5 / 5Expert
- Grid ref
- NG859601
- Parking
- NG858606
- Nearest city
- Ullapool
Download GPX route file
Standard route · 16km
Standard route
The standard route is a longer walk with a gradual approach covering approximately 16km with 811m of total ascent — a full day on the hill. Lower slopes cross heather moorland and rough grass, often boggy and pathless. Higher up, the terrain changes to exposed Torridonian sandstone or quartzite, increasingly rocky. Paths are often absent above the glen floor — expect rough, trackless terrain requiring confident navigation. The summit is marked by a cairn and trig point on plinth.
Terrain
Above 700m the ground is fully exposed to weather from all directions. Paths are often absent above the glen floor — expect rough, trackless terrain requiring confident navigation. Good ridge connections to neighbouring summits make multi-hill days a natural option.
In winter
In winter, Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich is a serious proposition. Full winter conditions are common from November to April with snow, ice and fierce Atlantic winds. An ice axe and crampons are essential above 600m. At this latitude, daylight hours drop below seven in December — start early and carry a headtorch.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 0m
- Edinburgh4h 28m
OS maps: OS Landranger 19, OS Landranger 24
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:47
- Sunset
- 20:53
- Civil dawn
- 05:02
- Civil dusk
- 21:39
NOAA Solar Calculator · 25 April 2026