Marilyn · Cairngorms
Cairn-mon-earn
The name means 'cairn' in Gaelic. A 378m prominence hill in Angus near Montrose. Despite the modest height, the 150m prominence means this summit commands its surroundings with views that surprise first-time visitors.
Gaelic: “stony, cairn-topped hill” · Pronunciation: cairn
Quick facts
- Height
- 378.5m/ 1241ft
- Difficulty
- 1 / 5Easy
- Grid ref
- NO 78262 91920
Download GPX route file
Standard route
Standard route
A short, accessible walk through Caledonian pine forest before breaking onto the open hillside to the 378m summit. The low altitude and gentle gradients make this achievable in 1-3 hours.
Terrain
Cairngorm-style terrain: heather at lower levels, granite slabs and gravel above. Can be windswept on the summit plateau.
In winter
The Cairngorms fringe sees genuine winter conditions. Snow lingers well into spring on north-facing slopes. Navigation in cloud requires compass skills.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 44m
- Edinburgh4h 30m
OS maps: OS Landranger 38, OS Landranger 45, OS Explorer 396, OS Explorer 406E
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:20
- Sunset
- 20:53
- Civil dawn
- 04:33
- Civil dusk
- 21:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 2 May 2026