Ben Rinnes
Moray's highest free-standing hill, 841 metres, climbed on a good path from Glack Harness to rocky tors and wide views over Speyside.
Ben Rinnes rises alone above Speyside, the highest free-standing hill in Moray at 841 metres.
From the top, on a clear day, the views run out across the distillery country of the Spey.
The usual way up starts at a small car park at Glack Harness, on the minor road between the A95 and Glen Rinnes. An estate track climbs steadily, then a well-built path with stone steps leads all the way to the summit, the Scurran of Lochterlandoch, a crown of weathered rocky tors. It is about eight kilometres there and back, with a climb of some 550 metres, and most people take around three hours.
The path is good, but the top is high and exposed, chilly and windy even in July, so bring warm layers, waterproofs and food. On summer weekends the car park fills early, so set off in good time.
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Open hill, at any time; the summit is exposed, so check the weather.
- Height
- 841 metres, a Corbett.
- Walk
- 8km there and back, about 3 hours.
- Start
- Glack Harness car park, NJ285360.
Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your reviewFrom the small car park at Glack Harness, on the minor road between the A95 and Glen Rinnes, south-west of Dufftown.
Balvenie CastleA great medieval castle in ruins on the northern edge of Dufftown, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.6 miles as the crow flies
TimeSpirit6 miles as the crow flies
DufftownA granite Speyside town laid out in 1817 round its clock tower, the self-styled malt whisky capital, with six distilleries in and around it.6 miles 12 min by road
Auchindoun CastleA lonely ruin to the east.9 miles 16 min by road
Ballindalloch Castle and GardensA castle and gardens on the River Avon.13 miles 25 min by road
Linn FallsA waterfall walk near Aberlour.13 miles 25 min by road
Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.
Callie Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Pluscarden
- 14 miles from Ben Rinnes
Chapelton- Sleeps 6
- In Glenkindie
- 17 miles from Ben Rinnes
Home Farm- Sleeps 6
- In Glenkindie
- 17 miles from Ben Rinnes
Dalgrassick- Sleeps 4
- In Glenkindie
- 17 miles from Ben Rinnes
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
What we have written about it and more in Morayshire.
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .