Hidden Scotland
Sign in
The long ridge of Beinn Liath Mhòr under snow, in sunshine.
Torridon

Beinn Liath Mhor

A Munro of 926 metres, number 260 of the 282.

Photograph by Nick Bramhall (CC BY-SA 2.0)

On the hill todayI was up today
The hill

Beinn Liath Mhor, "the big grey hill", rises above Coire Lair, behind Achnashellach forest in Glen Carron.

Forestry and Land Scotland, which looks after the forest, calls this remote, rugged country.

Sgorr Ruadh stands on the other side of the corrie, less than two kilometres to the south. The avalanche forecasters for Torridon count this hill as the southern end of their area, and after a day here wrote warmly of its ridge and of the remote feel of the corrie.

Starts from
Forestry and Land Scotland's Achnashellach car park, on the A890. A short walk through the forest leads to the hill, and for the rest Forestry and Land Scotland sends walkers to a full route description.
Waymarks
None beyond the forest edge: out on the hill there are no waymarkers or signposts.
Stalking
The hill above the forest may be stalked, so follow any signs on the day.
Under snow
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service names this hill as the southern end of the core of its Torridon area, which runs from Slioch in the north to Beinn Liath Mhor near Loch Carron. Its forecasts begin on 17 December 2026. Until then there is no forecast, which does not mean there is no risk.
Summit
Grid reference NG 964 519
Car park
Forestry and Land Scotland's Achnashellach car park is on the south side of the A890, just across from Achnashellach station. The nearest postcode is IV54 8YU, and parking is free.
Train and bus
Achnashellach station is a request stop: tell the conductor in good time if you want to get off, and give the driver a clear hand signal to board. There is a limited bus service, and Traveline Scotland has the times.
Toilets and food
None at the car park. Achnasheen and Lochcarron both have toilets and places to eat.
On the hill today
1° to 3°Rain on the summit, 926 m. Feels like −4° in the wind.

West wind to 15 mph, gusting 29
Rain, about 7 mm
Light from 7.57am to 6.17pm, ten hours

Sat 17Cloudy0° to 4° on top · 9 mph, gusts 17
Sun 18Some cloud−3° to 4° on top · 15 mph, gusts 28
Mon 19Cloudy−5° to 6° on top · 3 mph, gusts 5

A weather model's forecast for the height of the summit, not a report from the hill. Read the mountain forecast the evening before: The Northwest Highlands forecast, Beinn Liath Mhor, Torridon avalanche forecast.

October2026

MTWTFSS

Going another day?

Choose the day you mean to climb.Near or far: the light you will have, and what the summit is likely to be doing.

Photograph by Nick Bramhall (CC BY-SA 2.0)

This is remote, rugged country and you'll need the right equipment and clothing whichever route you choose.Forestry and Land Scotland, which keeps the forest and the car park at Achnashellach
Before you go

Carry

  • A paper map and a compass, and the skill to use them
  • Waterproofs, warm layers, hat and gloves
  • Food and drink
  • A head torch, a whistle and a first aid kit
  • A survival bag
  • Boots with a good grip

Under snow and ice this is a different day, with short light and the risk of avalanche. It needs an ice axe, crampons, winter boots and the skill to use them.

If something goes wrong

  • Dial 999, ask for the police, then mountain rescue
  • Give a six-figure grid reference: the summit is NG 964 519
  • Say how many are hurt, how many are with you, and your number
  • Register to text 999 before the day: text the word register to 999

The summit is optional. Turning back is the right decision whenever the cloud, the wind or the light say so.

How to call for help in the hills · Safety and skills for the hills · ThinkWINTER

From our readers

Nobody has written from Beinn Liath Mhor yet. If you were up, yours would be the first.

Tell the next person

Were you up? Three words is enough.A free account, a word for the weather and a line if you like.

Sign in to tell them
From the magazine
Read more elsewhere

For the route itself, take the map and read these.

Sleep and eat at its foot

Next along: Sgorr Ruadh, Maol Chean-dearg, Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith, Liathach - Mullach an Rathain. Checked on 10 October 2026. The facts on this page are Forestry and Land Scotland's, National Rail's, Mountaineering Scotland's and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service's; the forecasts are the Mountain Weather Information Service's and the Met Office's. Height and position from The Database of British and Irish Hills, v18.3, adapted, CC BY 4.0. This page is not a route description and does not replace a map.