Graham · Skye & The Small Isles
Marsco
The big rounded pyramid that closes the head of Glen Sligachan, sitting between the Black and Red Cuillin. A brilliant solo Graham day from the Sligachan Hotel. 736 m summit, 14 km out-and-back from Portree, 800 m of ascent. Skye and Small Isles.
Quick facts
- Height
- 737.2m/ 2419ft
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 800 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG507251
- Parking
- NG486300
- Nearest
- Portree
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen path 20% · rough heather 30% · rocky slope 35% · summit dome 15%
Long path walk from Sligachan into Glen Sligachan, then a steep direct ascent up the west flank. Pathless on the upper slopes but navigation is straightforward in clear weather.
Terrain
Boggy approach on the Glen Sligachan path. Steep, scree-strewn upper slopes. No scrambling.
In winter
Skye winter weather is brutal — Atlantic gales and driving sleet rather than alpine cold.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 20m
- Edinburgh5h 20m
OS maps: OS Explorer 411
Mobile signal: Brief signal on Skye near Sligachan; 1 bar on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 22:05
- Civil dawn
- 03:37
- Civil dusk
- 23:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Marsco.
Around Marsco on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
26km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Isle of Raasay Distillery
Raasay — new island distillery with rooms; Dun Caan walks from the door
13km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Marsco — common questions
- How hard is Marsco?
- Marsco is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 800m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Boggy approach on the Glen Sligachan path.
- Where do I park for Marsco?
- Standard parking is at NG486300 near Portree. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Marsco?
- The standard good-weather months for Marsco 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 Marsco?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Marsco?
- Brief signal on Skye near Sligachan; 1 bar on the summit
- Is Marsco safe in winter?
- Skye winter weather is brutal — Atlantic gales and driving sleet rather than alpine cold.