Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Beinn Sgulaird
Beinn Sgulaird (937m) — "hill of the hat" — is an isolated coastal Munro standing at the head of Loch Creran in Argyll, partnered loosely with Beinn Fhionnlaidh further north. The hill has 662m of prominence and a long undulating summit ridge with multiple tops; the highest is the Munro proper. Best known for its commanding seaward views across the Lorn coast to Lismore and Mull, with the Cuillin visible in the distance on clear days.
Quick facts
- Height
- 937m/ 3074ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 825 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN053460
- Parking
- NN036489
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen track 35% · Open hillside 40% · Summit 25%
Park at Elleric at the head of Glen Creran. Take the rough estate track north up Gleann Ure to its head, then climb the steep south-east ridge of Beinn Sgulaird directly. The summit ridge is long with several tops; the highest (the Munro) sits towards the north end. Return reverses the line. Around 14km return with 970m of ascent.
Terrain
The Elleric estate landrover track is firm landrover surface for the lower section. The Gleann Ure approach is rough boggy ground in the upper glen. The south-east ridge is sustained heather and broken rock with a faint braided line. The crest carries several rocky tops; a large cairn at the high point marks the Munro. Navigation along the multi-topped ridge in cloud needs care.
In winter
A serious west-coast winter Munro. The summit ridge holds wind-loaded snow after westerly storms; the multi-topped ridge can be confusing in whiteout. The Glen Creran road can drift but the A828 alongside Loch Creran stays gritted. SAIS Glencoe is the closest formal forecast area; reception drops away above the 700m line.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 4m
- Edinburgh3h 59m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m. Creagan Inn on the A828 has occasional signal. Download maps before the drive north from Oban.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:31
- Civil dusk
- 23:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Sgulaird.
Around Beinn Sgulaird on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Loch Awe station
East shore Loch Awe; Ben Cruachan; Kilchurn Castle
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
25km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Oban
Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles
25km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn Sgulaird — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Sgulaird?
- Beinn Sgulaird is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 825m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Elleric estate landrover track is firm landrover surface for the lower section.
- Where do I park for Beinn Sgulaird?
- Standard parking is at NN036489 near Oban. 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 Sgulaird?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Sgulaird 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 Sgulaird?
- 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 Sgulaird?
- No signal above 700m. Creagan Inn on the A828 has occasional signal. Download maps before the drive north from Oban.
- Is Beinn Sgulaird safe in winter?
- A serious west-coast winter Munro. The summit ridge holds wind-loaded snow after westerly storms; the multi-topped ridge can be confusing in whiteout. The Glen Creran road can drift but the A828 alongside Loch Creran stays gritted. SAIS Glencoe is the closest formal forecast area; reception drops away above the 700m line.
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