NN2508 : Approaching the summit, Beinn Ime
Strenuous hillwalk; route-dependent

Beinn Ime

1,012m Elevation
713m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NN2508 : Approaching the summit, Beinn Ime

Richard Webb Photo source

Overview

Beinn Ime is a 1012.2 m Munro in the Arrochar Alps, above the head of Loch Long. Its usual approach from Succoth reaches Bealach a' Mhaim before climbing the broad southern slopes; the mountain's other faces are much steeper and more rugged.

Beinn Ime

Beinn Ime is a 1012.2 m Munro in the Arrochar Alps. Its cairn stands on the remains of an old trig point at NN255084. The broad southern approach contrasts with the steep, craggy ground around its other sides.

Routes

  • From Succoth: follow the woodland zigzags and glen path past the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a' Mhaim. Climb the southern slopes and return by the same route to Succoth. The usual summer ascent is a strenuous hillwalk.
  • Butterbridge circuit: a steeper, partly pathless alternative via Glas Bhealach, returning over Bealach a' Mhargaidh and down to the A83. It involves burn crossings, awkward navigation and small crags on the descent. See the route card for the complete return.
  • Narnain and Ime circuit: ascend Narnain's rocky south-east ridge, continue to Ime via the bealach, then return through Coire a' Bhalachain and the woodland zigzags. The full round is 13.8 km, with a published estimate of 6–7 hours. The Narnain section includes easy scrambling.

Do not treat neighbouring summits as effortless extensions. The Cobbler's highest tower requires an exposed Grade 3 scramble and the same moves in descent. Linking Ben Vane involves very steep, rough terrain.

Terrain and safety

Expect a long climb, exposed upper slopes and wet or slippery ground. In cloud, navigate carefully to regain the southern path rather than drifting onto craggier faces. Cross the A83 with care.

Snow and ice can conceal paths and create serious winter conditions. Suitable boots, an ice axe and crampons, and the skills to use them may be necessary. Assess avalanche and cornice hazards, check mountain weather, and allow for short daylight and slower travel. Avoid The Cobbler's tower in wet, windy or icy conditions.

Access and facilities

The normal start is the paid Glenloin No 2 / Succoth car park at the head of Loch Long. Check the current parking signs; neighbouring Glenloin No 1 is private. Toilets, cafés and shops are in Arrochar. Buses serve Arrochar; the railway station at Arrochar & Tarbet adds a walk to the start and back.

Landscape and name

The surrounding uplands contain Dalradian metamorphic rocks of the Beinn Bheula Schist Formation, with local igneous intrusions. Ice and later slope processes shaped the valleys.

The Gaelic name means 'butter mountain'. The National Park relates it to summer grazing and records shieling-hut ruins on the Glen Kinglas side. Clear-weather views extend across the Arrochar Alps and south towards Cowal. Nearby summits include Beinn Narnain (926.8 m) and The Cobbler (886.7 m).

Explore routes near Beinn Ime

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Beinn Ime from Succoth

15.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

The Cobbler from Succoth Carpark

10.5 km ~6h Hard

View route

Ben Lomond in the trossachs

12.1 km ~5h Hard

View route

Loch Katrine: Brenachoile Point Shore Walk from Trossachs Pier

7.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Beinn Ime from Succoth via Bealach a' Mhaim

Start and finish at the paid Succoth car park. Cross the A83 and follow the main woodland zigzags, continuing beside the Allt a' Bhalachain past the small dam and Narnain Boulders. Stay on the glen path beyond the earlier Cobbler turn, then continue to Bealach a' Mhaim. Climb Ime's broad southern slopes to the summit. Retrace the same route through the bealach and glen, using the woodland zigzags back to Succoth. This is a substantial mountain day even though the normal southern ascent does not require scrambling in dry summer conditions.

Strenuous hillwalk

Butterbridge circuit via Glas Bhealach

From the parking area at Butterbridge, take the short A83 roadside approach to the stile by the ruins. Follow the Allt Beinn Ime towards Glas Bhealach, crossing the burn only where safe, then climb steeply south to the summit. Descend south-east on the usual path to about 700 m, traverse west to Bealach a' Mhargaidh, and descend beside the burn, avoiding small crags, to the ruins. Return along the A83 to the start. Gillian's Walks gives 5.5 miles, about 8.9 km, for this full circuit. Expect steep, partly pathless ground and demanding navigation.

8.9 km Strenuous; steep, partly pathless ground

Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime circuit

Start and finish at Succoth. Climb Narnain's south-east ridge over Cruach nam Miseag and through the rocky gully beside the Spearhead. Descend west-north-west to the connecting col path and Bealach a' Mhaim. Ascend Ime's southern slopes and return to the bealach. Descend Coire a' Bhalachain past the Narnain Boulders and dam, then follow the main woodland zigzags back to Succoth. Walkhighlands gives 13.8 km and 6–7 hours for this complete two-Munro round. The Narnain ascent includes easy scrambling.

13.8 km Strenuous with easy scrambling
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Munro Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

1,012m

3,321 ft

Prominence

713m

Coordinates

56.2368, -4.8171

NN255084

OS Map

56

Explorer: OL39S 364S

At the Summit

A cairn on the remains of an old trig point marks the summit. The surveyed height is 1012.2 m, at grid reference NN255084.

Terrain & Geology

Woodland zigzags and a maintained glen path on the Succoth approach broad grassy southern slopes with a summit path wet or boggy ground away from improved paths much steeper and more rugged ground on other faces.

The Arrochar uplands around Beinn Ime are mainly Dalradian metamorphic rocks, including schistose psammites and semipelites of the Beinn Bheula Schist Formation. Geological mapping also records a diorite intrusion between Beinn Ime and A' Chrois. Glacial erosion and later slope processes shaped the surrounding valleys.

Views & Scenery

In clear weather the summit overlooks the surrounding Arrochar Alps and the hills and sea lochs of the Cowal Peninsula to the south.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Beinn Ime means 'butter mountain' in Scottish Gaelic. The National Park associates the name with summer grazing on the mountain's slopes.

Historical Significance

The National Park records shieling-hut ruins on the slopes facing Glen Kinglas, associated with shepherds bringing animals from Glen Croe for summer grazing.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Use the paid Glenloin No 2 / Succoth car park off the A83 at the head of Loch Long, around NN294048. Argyll and Bute Council lists Glenloin No 2 at G83 7AL as pay-and-display, Monday–Sunday, 9am–6pm. Its published 2026/27 Arrochar Glenloin tariff is £1.20 per hour or £10.30 per day. Check the signs for current payment terms; neighbouring Glenloin No 1 is privately operated.

Public Transport

Buses from Glasgow towards Inveraray stop in Arrochar. Arrochar & Tarbet railway station is about 1½ miles from the car park via a forest path, so allow for the walk to and from the route start. Check current connections and return times with Traveline Scotland.

Nearby Facilities

Public toilets, shops and cafés are in Arrochar village across the head of Loch Long. Carry food, water and suitable hillwalking equipment for the mountain.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Low cloud can obscure the correct descent from the summit. The usual southern route does not make the steeper, craggier faces safe descent shortcuts; carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
  • Wet grass, muddy ground and stones can be slippery. The Butterbridge circuit includes steep, partly pathless slopes, burn crossings and small crags on its western descent; avoid crossing swollen burns.
  • The Beinn Narnain circuit adds steep, eroded rocky steps and easy scrambling, including the gully beside the Spearhead. It requires more than the straightforward walking of Ime's normal southern approach.
  • Cross the busy A83 carefully at Succoth; the Butterbridge approach also includes a short roadside section. Strong wind, cold and rapidly changing visibility can affect all routes.
  • The Cobbler's true summit is a separate exposed Grade 3 scramble through a rock window and along a ledge, with the same moves reversed to descend. It is not a casual addition to an Ime walk.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can hide the path and turn even the broad southern slopes into serious winter terrain. Cornices, avalanche-prone slopes and hard snow require careful route choice. Winter navigation, avalanche awareness, suitable boots, an ice axe and crampons, and the skills to use them are needed when conditions demand. Check mountain weather and available avalanche information; allow for shorter daylight and slower progress. Avoid The Cobbler's summit scramble in wet, windy or icy conditions.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Beinn Ime?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Beinn Ime through the maps

Are there other walkers around Beinn Ime?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Beinn Ime search or of course create your own walk for Beinn Ime

Can I organise a walk to Beinn Ime?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Beinn Ime.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Beinn Ime?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Beinn Ime here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Beinn Ime location map

Grid reference: NN255084

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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