Munro · Argyll & Bute
Ben More
Ben More (966m) is the only Munro on the Isle of Mull and the only Munro on a Scottish island outside Skye. The hill rises directly from sea-level on the south shore of Loch na Keal, giving it 966m of prominence and one of the most spectacular Munro positions in Scotland. From the summit on a clear day the view extends across the Treshnish Isles, Coll, Tiree, Iona, Jura, Colonsay, the Outer Hebrides and even occasionally the mountains of Ireland.
Quick facts
- Height
- 966m/ 3169ft
- Prominence
- 966 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 850 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM525330
- Parking
- NM499359
- Nearest city
- Oban· 33km
- 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
Loch Keal path 20% · Open hillside 50% · Summit ridge 30%
Travel to Mull via Calmac ferry from Oban (45 mins) and drive to Dhiseig on the south shore of Loch na Keal. Park at the small lay-by, then walk up the Abhainn na h-Uamha track and climb the steep west ridge of Ben More directly to the summit shelter. Most parties also take in A' Chioch (Top) on the connecting ridge, descending its east shoulder for a fine round. Around 9km return with 850m of ascent — short but uncompromisingly steep.
Terrain
The Abhainn na h-Uamha track is rough boggy ground for the first kilometre. The west ridge of Ben More is sustained steep grass and broken volcanic basalt — the hill is a genuine slog of constant climbing. The summit shelter is a large stone-built circular windbreak with the OS rivet in the centre. Compass readings on Ben More are unreliable due to the magnetic basalt — carry GPS for navigation in cloud. The A' Chioch ridge has one short scrambly step.
In winter
A maritime island winter Munro. Snow is less persistent than mainland hills but rain and Atlantic wind can be relentless. The west ridge becomes slippery in any iced conditions. Ferry sailings to Mull can be cancelled in poor weather; check Calmac before travelling. SAIS does not cover Mull; rely on Met Office mountain forecasts. Phone signal absent above 600m.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 11m
- Edinburgh4h 1m
Ferry access
Oban → Craignure
- Crossing time45 min
- Summer sailingsUp to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead7 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — sailings run until ~21:00 in peak summer
Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 47, OS Landranger 48
Mobile signal: No bars above 600m on Mull. The road from Salen to Loch na Keal has occasional signal. Download maps ahead of the ferry crossing from Oban.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:09
- Sunset
- 21:52
- Civil dawn
- 04:15
- Civil dusk
- 22:46
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Around Ben More on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
33km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Tobermory
Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tobermory
Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky
22km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ben More — common questions
- How difficult is Ben More?
- Ben More carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 17km, 850m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: The Abhainn na h-Uamha track is rough boggy ground for the first kilometre.
- What is Ben More's prominence?
- Ben More's prominence is its full height — 966m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it.
- Where do I park for Ben More?
- Most walkers start from NM499359. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Ben More?
- May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Ben More. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Ben More dog-friendly?
- 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 Ben More?
- No bars above 600m on Mull. The road from Salen to Loch na Keal has occasional signal. Download maps ahead of the ferry crossing from Oban.
- How do I get the ferry to Ben More?
- Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
- Is Ben More safe in winter?
- A maritime island winter Munro. Snow is less persistent than mainland hills but rain and Atlantic wind can be relentless. The west ridge becomes slippery in any iced conditions. Ferry sailings to Mull can be cancelled in poor weather; check Calmac before travelling. SAIS does not cover Mull; rely on Met Office mountain forecasts. Phone signal absent above 600m.
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