Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Ardsheal Hill
Ardsheal Hill is a 263m wooded Marilyn in NM-square Appin, occupying the small peninsula that juts into Loch Linnhe opposite the Corran Narrows. The summit knoll looks north across the loch to Ardgour, east into the entrance of Loch Leven, and south over Kentallen pier toward Beinn Bheithir.
Quick facts
- Height
- 263m/ 863ft
- Grid ref
- NM 99517 56841
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 20km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
The usual approach leaves the A828 at Kentallen and follows the minor road past Ardsheal House, then turns off onto an estate track climbing through old oak and Sitka plantings before breaking out onto open hillside. A pathless 80m of heather and outcrop leads to a small cairn on a slabby top.
Terrain
Estate track for the first half then mixed oakwood and bracken, with short heather and granite slabs on the dome. Bracken is shoulder-high from June to October on the lower bank.
In winter
Sea-level start and a 263m top mean snow is incidental — ice on the estate track and on the mossy granite slabs is the only winter concern. Yaktrax-style spikes are more useful than crampons here.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 21m
- Edinburgh6h 41m
OS maps: OS Landranger 49, OS Explorer 376, OS Explorer 384
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Appin; limited coverage on most networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:23
- Civil dusk
- 23:20
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Ardsheal Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Fort William station
Ben Nevis, Mamores, Aonachs, Knoydart ferry connection
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
23km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ardsheal Hill — common questions
- How hard is Ardsheal Hill?
- Ardsheal Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Estate track for the first half then mixed oakwood and bracken, with short heather and granite slabs on the dome.
- When is the best time to climb Ardsheal Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Ardsheal Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Ardsheal Hill?
- 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 Ardsheal Hill?
- Poor. Remote Appin; limited coverage on most networks.
- Is Ardsheal Hill safe in winter?
- Sea-level start and a 263m top mean snow is incidental — ice on the estate track and on the mossy granite slabs is the only winter concern. Yaktrax-style spikes are more useful than crampons here.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.