Corbett · North-West Highlands
Sgurr a' Mhuilinn
Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn — 'the mill peak' — is the high point of Strathconon, the long quiet glen running west from the Black Isle into the Monar hills. The 878m summit is the centrepiece of the Strathconon ridge — a north-east-to-south-west line linking several smaller tops with Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn as the dominant peak. The drive in from Muir of Ord is one of the loveliest single-track roads in Easter Ross, and the hill is reached from the road end at Scardroy with a short, steep ascent.
Quick facts
- Height
- 878.8m/ 2883ft
- Prominence
- 580 m
- Distance
- ~10 km
- Ascent
- ~850 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH264557
- Parking
- NH274515
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 41km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
glen track 25% · heather hillside 40% · grassy upper ridge 25% · summit area 10%
Park at the road end at Strathanmore in upper Strathconon (NH274515). Cross the river by the small bridge and follow a stalkers' path up the open hillside east-north-east, gaining the broad south-east ridge of Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn. The route climbs steadily to a sub-top, then crosses a small col before the final pull to the summit cairn. Allow 5–6 hours.
Terrain
Decent stalkers' path on the lower slopes — well-built for grouse moor management. The upper hill is heather and grass with rocky outcrops near the summit cone. The ridge between the sub-top and the main summit has a brief narrow section with mild exposure. Path becomes vague on the col.
In winter
A solid winter Corbett — the steady gradient and clear ridge make navigation straightforward, snow lies well on the north-east aspect, and the Strathconon road is generally cleared. Cornices form on the north side of the summit cone. The sub-top to summit traverse needs care in heavy wind.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 43m
- Edinburgh4h 59m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: No signal in the Strathconon/Scardroy area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:18
- Sunset
- 20:22
- Civil dawn
- 05:36
- Civil dusk
- 21:04
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr a' Mhuilinn.
Around Sgurr a' Mhuilinn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dingwall station
Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines
29km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Torridon
Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin from sea level
36km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glen Ord
Muir of Ord — Black Isle distillery; the Singleton range's Highland anchor
27km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr a' Mhuilinn — common questions
- How difficult is Sgurr a' Mhuilinn?
- Sgurr a' Mhuilinn carries a 2/5 (moderate) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 10km, 850m of ascent and a 3-5 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Decent stalkers' path on the lower slopes — well-built for grouse moor management.
- How prominent is Sgurr a' Mhuilinn?
- Sgurr a' Mhuilinn has 580m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Sgurr a' Mhuilinn?
- Standard parking is at NH274515 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Sgurr a' Mhuilinn?
- The standard good-weather months for Sgurr a' Mhuilinn are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Sgurr a' Mhuilinn?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Sgurr a' Mhuilinn?
- No signal in the Strathconon/Scardroy area
- Is Sgurr a' Mhuilinn safe in winter?
- A solid winter Corbett — the steady gradient and clear ridge make navigation straightforward, snow lies well on the north-east aspect, and the Strathconon road is generally cleared. Cornices form on the north side of the summit cone. The sub-top to summit traverse needs care in heavy wind.
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