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
- Prominence
- 662 m
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 1280 m
- Time
- 5–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN053460
- Parking
- NN036489
- Nearest city
- Oban· 25km
- 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
Glen track 35% · Open hillside 40% · Summit 25%
Park at Druimavuic on Loch Creran, just south of Elleric. 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 11km return with 1280m 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: Barely anything above 700m. Creagan Inn on the A828 has occasional signal. Get maps saved before the journey north from Oban.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:05
- Sunset
- 21:50
- Civil dawn
- 04:11
- Civil dusk
- 22:44
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 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 difficult is Beinn Sgulaird?
- Beinn Sgulaird carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 11km, 1280m of ascent and a 5-6 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: The Elleric estate landrover track is firm landrover surface for the lower section.
- How much drop does Beinn Sgulaird have?
- The drop is 662m: measured from the summit of Beinn Sgulaird down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Beinn Sgulaird?
- Park at NN036489. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Beinn Sgulaird?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Sgulaird. 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 Beinn Sgulaird?
- 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 Beinn Sgulaird?
- Barely anything above 700m. Creagan Inn on the A828 has occasional signal. Get maps saved before the journey 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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