Marilyn · knoydart
Aonach Sgoilte
Aonach Sgoilte, the split ridge, is the long 848m crest east of Ladhar Bheinn in north Knoydart. The descriptive name fits — the summit is a knife of broken rock with twin tops divided by a notch, and the drops north into Coire Mhuidhe are precipitous.
Quick facts
- Height
- 848.4m/ 2783ft
- Grid ref
- NG 84020 02695
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 39km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%
Approached from Barrisdale Bay on Loch Hourn, reached by the long path from the Kinloch Hourn road or by a longer day from Inverie. From Barrisdale the ridge is gained by a stiff pull onto the eastern shoulder; the traverse to the western top is mildly scrambly. 8 hours plus from the road.
Terrain
Steep heathery flanks below the crest; the ridge itself is mainly schist slabs and blocky stepped sections. Exposure is moderate but real where the path keeps near the northern edge.
In winter
A genuine winter mountain at 848m, with snow lying from December through April and significant cornices on the northern flank. Combined with the approach length this becomes a serious overnight undertaking; spring conditions with a Barrisdale bothy stop are kindest.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 37m
- Edinburgh7h 47m
Ferry access
Mallaig → Inverie (Knoydart)
- Crossing time45 min
- Summer sailingsMon–Sat, 2–3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct, Western Isles Cruises)
- Winter sailingsMon/Wed/Fri only (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead3 days
- Last ferry backLast ferry from Inverie ~17:30 (check Western Isles Cruises timetable)
Knoydart is a roadless peninsula — not an island, but accessible only by ferry or a very long walk (18+ km over difficult terrain). Day trips to Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean are achievable in summer. For Ladhar Bheinn, base yourself overnight at Inverie.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 413S
Mobile signal: Very poor. Barrisdale and the Aonach Sgoilte ridge have no usable mobile coverage; the bothy radio is the practical fallback.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:19
- Civil dawn
- 03:18
- Civil dusk
- 23:27
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Aonach Sgoilte on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Aonach Sgoilte — common questions
- How hard is Aonach Sgoilte?
- Aonach Sgoilte is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Steep heathery flanks below the crest; the ridge itself is mainly schist slabs and blocky stepped sections.
- When is the best time to climb Aonach Sgoilte?
- The standard good-weather months for Aonach Sgoilte are April, May, June, 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 Aonach Sgoilte?
- 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 Aonach Sgoilte?
- Very poor. Barrisdale and the Aonach Sgoilte ridge have no usable mobile coverage; the bothy radio is the practical fallback.
- How do I get the ferry to Aonach Sgoilte?
- Mallaig → Inverie (Knoydart). Mon–Sat, 2–3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct, Western Isles Cruises) in summer; Mon/Wed/Fri only (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 3 days ahead. Knoydart is a roadless peninsula — not an island, but accessible only by ferry or a very long walk (18+ km over difficult terrain). Day trips to Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean are achievable in summer. For Ladhar Bheinn, base yourself overnight at Inverie.
- Is Aonach Sgoilte safe in winter?
- A genuine winter mountain at 848m, with snow lying from December through April and significant cornices on the northern flank. Combined with the approach length this becomes a serious overnight undertaking; spring conditions with a Barrisdale bothy stop are kindest.
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