Bidean nam Bian

Mountain Large Scottish mountain massif with challenging routes

Mountain massif on the edge of Glen Coe with steep ridges and corries. Walkers and climbers come for long routes, winter climbing and panoramic views over the glen.

Main image

Bidean nam Bian is a mountain massif in the Scottish Highlands whose highest summit reaches approximately 1,150 metres. It is listed as a Munro and is one of the largest massifs in the area.

The massif includes steep corries and ridges that attract experienced walkers and scramblers; routes commonly approach from Glen Coe or Glen Etive. Terrain can be steep and pathless in places, so ascents typically require good navigation and mountain skills.

Geologically it is a highland massif shaped by glacial erosion into corries and ridgelines, long used for grazing and hillwalking. Mountaineers have developed a number of established routes over the 19th and 20th centuries, but it remains principally a natural landscape rather than a constructed site.

The mountain sits at the head of Glen Coe in the southwestern Highlands of Scotland, within a rugged landscape of glens and ridges and well inside the national mountain region commonly accessed from Fort William and nearby villages.

  • Height and classification: Highest point of the massif reaches about 1,150 metres, classifying it as a Munro in Scotland's mountain listing.
  • Ascent routes and season: Common ascent routes start from Glen Coe and Glen Etive and are typically undertaken in summer for safer footing and longer daylight.
Bidean nam Bian
56.6431, -5.0292

How to Get to Bidean nam Bian #

Drive from Fort William or Glasgow; Glencoe is served by the A82 road. Public transport includes buses and trains to nearby stations; from those points local roads and footpaths lead into the massif.

Tips for Visiting Bidean nam Bian #

  • Aim for autumn for the vivid bracken and chance of clear summits; midges can be an annoyance in summer so bring insect repellent.
  • Use a bothy or local mountain lodges as staging points for longer routes-weather in Glencoe changes rapidly.
  • If interested in history, investigate the burial cairns and military roads that nod to the area's past.

Best Time to Visit Bidean nam Bian #

Best in summer for access and daylight; autumn offers dramatic skies and fewer visitors.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 8-15°C (46-59°F)
Long daylight and best walking conditions.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 0-10°C (32-50°F)
Clearer mountain air and dramatic colors; weather turns quickly.

Weather & Climate near Bidean nam Bian #

Climate

Bidean nam Bian's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 13°C. Heavy rainfall (3183 mm/year), wettest in January.

Best Time to Visit
MayJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
25°
Warmest Month
-12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (394 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

16 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

394 mm
Rainfall
15.3 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.4h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (260 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

18 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

260 mm
Rainfall
14.9 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (308 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

26 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

308 mm
Rainfall
13.5 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (177 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

32 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

177 mm
Rainfall
11.0 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.0h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

159 mm
Rainfall
9.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
16.2h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (156 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

156 mm
Rainfall
9.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.1
UV Index
High
17.3h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (175 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
13°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

175 mm
Rainfall
9.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
High
16.8h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Heavy rain (207 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
13°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

207 mm
Rainfall
9.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
14.9h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (291 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

291 mm
Rainfall
11.0 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.5
UV Index
Low
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (340 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

26 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

340 mm
Rainfall
12.9 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (352 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

26 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

352 mm
Rainfall
14.4 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (364 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.

18 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

364 mm
Rainfall
13.7 m/s
Wind
Windy
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.7h daylight

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