Marilyn · Kintail
Beinn a' Chaoinich
Beinn a Chaoinich, the hill of the moss, is a 410m heather hump on the Glenelg peninsula north of Loch Hourn. The summit looks south across Knoydart, west to Skye and east toward the Five Sisters of Kintail — a remarkable view for so modest a hill.
Quick facts
- Height
- 410m/ 1345ft
- Prominence
- 272 m
- Grid ref
- NG 85989 18385
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 85km
- 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
heather and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
From the road end at Corran on Loch Hourn, take the path up the Allt Mhalagain and break off west onto the heather hillside. The summit is a featureless heather dome; in clear weather the surrounding panorama makes up for it. Around 2 to 3 hours.
Terrain
True to its name — sphagnum moss and wet heather across most of the ascent, with the bog quickening near the summit. The bedrock is Moine schist; rock barely shows except on the loch-facing flanks.
In winter
A coastal hill at 410m. Snow is brief and partial; the real winter problem is wet ground freezing into hidden ice plates under fresh snow. Spikes useful for the upper bog; the views to Knoydart in winter sunshine are exceptional.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 50m
- Edinburgh7h 54m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 413N
Mobile signal: Patchy. Reception across the Sound to Skye masts on the summit; the Loch Hourn shore is largely dead.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:42
- Civil dawn
- 04:23
- Civil dusk
- 22:34
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Beinn a' Chaoinich on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn a' Chaoinich — common questions
- How hard is Beinn a' Chaoinich?
- We grade Beinn a' Chaoinich at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: True to its name — sphagnum moss and wet heather across most of the ascent, with the bog quickening near the summit.
- What is Beinn a' Chaoinich's prominence?
- 272m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Beinn a' Chaoinich to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn a' Chaoinich?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn a' Chaoinich. 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 Beinn a' Chaoinich 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 Beinn a' Chaoinich?
- Patchy. Reception across the Sound to Skye masts on the summit; the Loch Hourn shore is largely dead.
- Is Beinn a' Chaoinich safe in winter?
- A coastal hill at 410m. Snow is brief and partial; the real winter problem is wet ground freezing into hidden ice plates under fresh snow. Spikes useful for the upper bog; the views to Knoydart in winter sunshine are exceptional.
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