Munro · North-West Highlands
Beinn Liath Mhor
Beinn Liath Mhor (926m) — "big grey hill" — is the long, ice-pale quartzite ridge that forms the eastern half of the Coire Lair horseshoe at Achnashellach. The summit ridge is one of the longest in the Northern Highlands, dropping in steps over a series of bouldery tops above the railway. Almost always paired with Sgorr Ruadh on the classic Coulin round.
Gaelic: “mountain, grey, big” · Pronunciation: bine lee-ah vore
Quick facts
- Height
- 926m/ 3038ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 815 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG964519
- Parking
- NH005485
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 70km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen path 30% · Open hillside 35% · Quartzite ridge 35%
Park at the Achnashellach forest entrance off the A890 and follow the famous stalkers' path north into Coire Lair. After about 4km branch east up onto the long west ridge of Beinn Liath Mhor and traverse the bouldery crest over several quartzite knolls to the summit cairn. Many parties descend south-east and re-ascend Sgorr Ruadh to close the horseshoe — around 18km and 1350m for the round.
Terrain
The Coire Lair approach path is renowned among Scottish stalkers' paths — exceptionally well-built and fast going. The west ridge becomes a long bouldery quartzite traverse with several false tops and minor down-and-up sections. Loose blocks underfoot demand care; the northern flank drops steeply into the corrie.
In winter
A long committing winter day. The quartzite ridge accumulates wind-slab on northerly aspects above Coire Lair and small cornices form along the rim. SAIS Northern Highlands publishes for this area. The ridge is hard to escape mid-traverse. The Achnashellach railway crossing remains accessible but the A890 from Lochcarron can drift in storms.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 47m
- Edinburgh4h 13m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m in the Achnashellach area. Achnasheen has 4G. Download maps before the drive.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:14
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:22
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Liath Mhor.
Around Beinn Liath Mhor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Liath Mhor — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Liath Mhor?
- Beinn Liath Mhor is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 815m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Coire Lair approach path is renowned among Scottish stalkers' paths — exceptionally well-built and fast going.
- Where do I park for Beinn Liath Mhor?
- Standard parking is at NH005485 near Ullapool. 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 Liath Mhor?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Liath Mhor are May, June, July, August, September. 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 Liath Mhor?
- 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 Liath Mhor?
- No signal above 700m in the Achnashellach area. Achnasheen has 4G. Download maps before the drive.
- Is Beinn Liath Mhor safe in winter?
- A long committing winter day. The quartzite ridge accumulates wind-slab on northerly aspects above Coire Lair and small cornices form along the rim. SAIS Northern Highlands publishes for this area. The ridge is hard to escape mid-traverse. The Achnashellach railway crossing remains accessible but the A890 from Lochcarron can drift in storms.
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