Scotland
Ghlas-bheinn
333M
1093FT
About Ghlas-bheinn
Tucked away on the northern end of Jura, this rugged Marilyn offers a wild alternative to the island's famous Paps. The terrain is characteristically tough—pathless, boggy, and rocky—but rewards the effort with a spectacular perspective over the Gulf of Corryvreckan towards the neighbouring island of Scarba.
Key Statistics
Rank
375th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
156m
Nearest Town
Keoldale
Geology
You are walking on the hard, banded rocks of the Lewisian Complex. These were created deep underground when ancient molten material was transformed by intense heat and pressure.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NC332614
Latitude
58.5092°N
Longitude
4.8645°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Ghlas-bheinn', meaning 'grey-green hill', an apt description of the mix of quartzite scree and moorland grasses found in this part of the Hebrides.
- •Standing in the remote northern reaches of Jura, the hill is most commonly accessed from the road end at Ardlussa, requiring a long trek across trackless and often saturated moorland.
- •The summit offers a premier vantage point for viewing the Gulf of Corryvreckan to the north, home to the world’s third-largest whirlpool which roars between Jura and Scarba during spring tides.
- •Despite its modest height of 333 metres, its classification as a Marilyn indicates a significant drop on all sides, ensuring the summit feels far more isolated and commanding than the statistics might suggest.
- •Choosing this hill over the Paps of Jura guarantees you the same high-quality bog underfoot, but with a significantly lower risk of having to share it with other people.