Marilyn · Skye
Beinn na Seamraig
Beinn na Seamraig (hill of the shamrocks) is the high point of the Sleat peninsula at 561m, offering the best summit panorama in south Skye — the entire Cuillin to the north and Knoydart's rough bounds to the east.
Quick facts
- Height
- 561m/ 1841ft
- Prominence
- 167 m
- Grid ref
- NG 72902 17775
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 97km
- 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 55% · rocky slopes 30% · grass slopes 15%
Long pathless approach from the A851 near Kinloch or Isleornsay, crossing rough moor before climbing the bouldery west ridge. Plan for 12 km return and around six to seven hours out from the road.
Terrain
Notoriously boggy approach across the Sleat plateau, then quartzite boulders on the upper ridge. Choose dry weather for the bog traverse.
In winter
A bog frozen solid in winter is a faster walk than in summer. Snow lingers in the corries facing the Sound of Sleat.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 13m
- Edinburgh7h 23m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 412
Mobile signal: Weak. EE gives nothing on this remote Skye summit; Portree-side only.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:16
- Sunset
- 21:43
- Civil dawn
- 04:24
- Civil dusk
- 22:35
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Beinn na Seamraig 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
10km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Mallaig
Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply
21km 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
26km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn na Seamraig — common questions
- What difficulty is Beinn na Seamraig?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn na Seamraig comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Ground conditions: Notoriously boggy approach across the Sleat plateau, then quartzite boulders on the upper ridge.
- How much drop does Beinn na Seamraig have?
- The drop is 167m: measured from the summit of Beinn na Seamraig down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Beinn na Seamraig?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn na Seamraig. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Beinn na Seamraig?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Beinn na Seamraig?
- Weak. EE gives nothing on this remote Skye summit; Portree-side only.
- Is Beinn na Seamraig safe in winter?
- A bog frozen solid in winter is a faster walk than in summer. Snow lingers in the corries facing the Sound of Sleat.
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