What difficulty is Auchtertyre Hill?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Auchtertyre Hill comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: A clear if soggy path through scattered birch and rowan, then short cropped grass on the upper slopes.

How prominent is Auchtertyre Hill?

Auchtertyre Hill has 245m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Auchtertyre Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Auchtertyre 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 Auchtertyre Hill?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Peter Trant / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Kintail

Auchtertyre Hill

Auchtertyre Hill (452m, NG 832 289) is the prominent green dome behind the village of Auchtertyre on the A87 between Kyle and Dornie. Its position right on Loch Alsh gives a panorama over to Skye that punches well above the modest elevation.

Quick facts

Height: 452.6m/ 1485ft
Prominence: 245 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 83256 28940
Nearest city: Inverness· 85km
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

heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the layby on the A87 at Auchtertyre. A path heads up beside the burn through low woodland, then opens onto grassy slopes climbing directly to the summit cairn. A genuine 1-2 hour outing.

Terrain

A clear if soggy path through scattered birch and rowan, then short cropped grass on the upper slopes. The summit ridge is wide and gentle with one or two small rock steps to look around.

In winter

Sea-level start and a summit barely above the typical Lochalsh snowline. Snow is rarely an obstacle but the lower section freezes into slick mud-ice — microspikes useful in cold snaps.

Outside the SAIS network. Kintail is not covered by a Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast area. In winter, use MWIS West Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow5h 6m
Edinburgh7h 9m

OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 413N, OS Explorer 428S

Mobile signal: Variable. EE intermittent up top; improves toward Loch Carron.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 13mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:15
Sunset: 21:43
Civil dawn: 04:22
Civil dusk: 22:35

NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026

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Around Auchtertyre Hill on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Mallaig

Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply

35km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Isle of Raasay Distillery

Raasay — new island distillery with rooms; Dun Caan walks from the door

30km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Auchtertyre Hill — common questions

What difficulty is Auchtertyre Hill?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Auchtertyre Hill comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: A clear if soggy path through scattered birch and rowan, then short cropped grass on the upper slopes.
How prominent is Auchtertyre Hill?: Auchtertyre Hill has 245m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Auchtertyre Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Auchtertyre 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 Auchtertyre Hill?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Auchtertyre Hill?: Variable. EE intermittent up top; improves toward Loch Carron.
Is Auchtertyre Hill safe in winter?: Sea-level start and a summit barely above the typical Lochalsh snowline. Snow is rarely an obstacle but the lower section freezes into slick mud-ice — microspikes useful in cold snaps.

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