Marilyn · Skye
Bioda Buidhe
Bioda Buidhe — the Yellow Pinnacle — sits just south of the Quiraing on the Trotternish Ridge of Skye. The NG 43 66 grid places it between Bealach Uige and Meall na Suiramach, where the eastern cliffs drop dramatically to the landslip terraces below.
Gaelic: “yellow” · Pronunciation: bioda boo-yeh
Quick facts
- Height
- 466m/ 1529ft
- Prominence
- 183 m
- Grid ref
- NG 43915 66399
- 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
grass slopes 55% · rocky outcrops 30% · heather patches 15%
Park at the Quiraing pass (NG 44 67) and head south along the obvious ridge line, dropping briefly to a bealach before climbing onto the broad summit. The cairn sits a short distance back from the cliff edge. About 5 km return with 280m of climb.
Terrain
A faint trail follows the ridge spine on close-cropped sheep-grazed turf. The east cliff is heavily undercut in places and the grass edge can give way.
In winter
Cornices form prolifically on this stretch of the ridge after easterly winds. The west-facing slopes catch sunshine and clear quickly, but the cliff edge is treacherous in any snow cover.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 58m
- Edinburgh9h 6m
OS maps: OS Landranger 23, OS Explorer 408
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Skye Trotternish Ridge; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:16
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 04:22
- Civil dusk
- 22:41
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Bioda Buidhe on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Bioda Buidhe — common questions
- How hard is Bioda Buidhe?
- We grade Bioda Buidhe at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: A faint trail follows the ridge spine on close-cropped sheep-grazed turf.
- What is Bioda Buidhe's prominence?
- 183m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Bioda Buidhe 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 Bioda Buidhe?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Bioda Buidhe. 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 Bioda Buidhe 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 Bioda Buidhe?
- Poor. Remote Skye Trotternish Ridge; limited coverage.
- Is Bioda Buidhe safe in winter?
- Cornices form prolifically on this stretch of the ridge after easterly winds. The west-facing slopes catch sunshine and clear quickly, but the cliff edge is treacherous in any snow cover.
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