388 hikes walked and documented
Menu

Mullach Buidhe Hike

By François · updated in June 202506/2025My rating

Key facts about the hike

Difficulty
Hard Hikes are rated from very easy to very hard: my difficulty scale
Duration
6h Estimated time, short breaks included (photos, water, snacks), picnic not included: how it is calculated
Distance
14.2km
Elevation gain
880m
Type of route
Loop
Maximum altitude
721 m
Vertiginous Five levels, depending on how exposed the route is: the levels in detail
Slightly
Marked
No
Popularity
Low
Region
Isle of Arran
Start point
55.64436, -5.38298
Activity
Hiking

Hike overview

The Mullach Buidhe hike takes you to the heart of the little-known and peaceful Pirnmill Hills mountain range in the west of the Isle of Arran in Scotland. Mullach Buidhe, meaning "yellow peak" in Gaelic, rises to 721 meters and is the highest point in the Beinn Bharrain range.

Unlike the rugged mountains in the eastern part of the island, which attract most hikers, these rounded hills offer an authentic experience far from the beaten path. The panoramic views from the summit are well worth the effort. To the west, the view plunges down to the Kilbrannan Sound and the Kintyre Peninsula. To the east, the majestic Arran main range unfolds.

Map and elevation profile of the hike

Mullach Buidhe Hike

Description and difficulties of the hike

The hike presents a moderate physical difficulty, with an elevation gain of 880 meters over 14 kilometers. The trail, which is excellent at the beginning and end of the route, becomes less visible as you gain altitude. Navigation can be tricky in poor visibility, especially on the plateau and ridges, where the lack of markings and well-defined trails requires good map-reading skills or the use of a GPS.

After following the Allt Gobhlach stream to the waterfall, you will reach a slightly marshy plateau. The final climb to the summit of Mullach Buidhe is on an increasingly steep slope and becomes rocky at the top of the ridge. There are two options for the final ascent: you can follow the ridge directly to the summit, which requires some scrambling, or you can take a bypass route on the west side of the mountain to avoid the last rocky outcrop (the GPS track takes this second option).

The route continues with an easy ridge traverse to the nearby summit of Beinn Bhreac before descending to Coire Fhionn Loch. The final leg of the journey is along a small road for about two kilometers.

What you'll love

  • Spectacular 360-degree views from the summit: Breathtaking vistas of the Kilbrannan Sound and the Kintyre Peninsula to the west (the Paps of Jura are sometimes visible on clear days) and the majestic eastern mountains of Arran to the east.
  • The pleasant ridge walk to Beinn Bhreac (711 m) on the way back offering beautiful views on both sides.
  • A wild and authentic atmosphere: These uncrowded hills offer true immersion in nature.
  • The charm of the initial route through the birch forest, enhanced by a beautiful waterfall on the Allt Gobhlach.
Hamlet of Pirnmill
Hamlet of Pirnmill
Forest trail at start of ascent
Forest trail at the start of the ascent
Kilbrannan sound
Kilbrannan sound
Allt Gobhlach waterfall
Allt Gobhlach waterfall
Kilbrannan sound
Kilbrannan sound
Allt Gobhlach stream
Allt Gobhlach stream
Mullach Buidhe
Mullach Buidhe
Mullach Buidhe ridge
Mullach Buidhe ridge
Mullach Buidhe
Mullach Buidhe
Pirnmill hills
Pirnmill hills
Mullach Buidhe summit
Mullach Buidhe summit
Mullach Buidhe ridge
Mullach Buidhe ridge
Loch Tanna
Loch Tanna
Lake Coire Fhionn and Kilbrannan sound
Lake Coire Fhionn and Kilbrannan sound
Shores of Lake Chur Fhionn
Shores of Lake Chur Fhionn
Lake Coire Fhionn
Lake Coire Fhionn
Pirnmill hills
Pirnmill hills
Northern Gannet
Northern Gannet
Northern Gannet
Northern Gannet
Northern Gannet
Northern Gannet
Kilbrannan sound
Kilbrannan sound
Kilbrannan sound
Kilbrannan sound
Hamlet of Pirnmill
Hamlet of Pirnmill

More hikes to do in Scotland

Nearby hikes

Isle of Arran

Caisteal Abhail

Hard6 h · 11 km · 830 m D+

Isle of Arran

King's Cave

Very easy1 h 45 · 4.7 km · 160 m D+

Isle of Arran

Skipness Castle

Very easy1 h 30 · 2.9 km · 50 m D+

Isle of Arran

Beinn Tarsuinn

Hard6 h 30 · 14.9 km · 960 m D+

Isle of Arran

Goatfell

Moderate4 h 30 · 11.2 km · 880 m D+

Isle of Arran

Glenashdale Falls

Very easy1 h 45 · 5.1 km · 160 m D+

Lomond

Conic Hill

Easy2 h 30 · 4.4 km · 360 m D+

Lomond

The Cobbler

Hard5 h 30 · 12.2 km · 930 m D+

Printed from www.horizonrando.fr/en/scotland/mullach-buidhe/