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
- Grid ref
- NG 83256 28940
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 85km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
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.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 6m
- Edinburgh7h 9m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 413N, OS Explorer 428S
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent on summit; better toward Loch Carron.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:21
- Civil dawn
- 03:15
- Civil dusk
- 23:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Auchtertyre Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Plockton station
Coastal Wester Ross; Plockton village; Skye Bridge approach
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Mallaig
Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply
35km 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
30km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Auchtertyre Hill — common questions
- How hard is Auchtertyre Hill?
- Auchtertyre Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A clear if soggy path through scattered birch and rowan, then short cropped grass on the upper slopes.
- When is the best time to 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?
- 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 Auchtertyre Hill?
- Moderate. EE intermittent on summit; better 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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