How difficult is Cnoc an Daimh Mor?

Cnoc an Daimh Mor carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Bog cotton, reed and mossy peat hummocks on the approach.

What is Cnoc an Daimh Mor's prominence?

162m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Cnoc an Daimh Mor to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Cnoc an Daimh Mor?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Cnoc an Daimh Mor. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Cnoc an Daimh Mor dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Cnoc an Daimh Mor

Cnoc an Daimh Mor — "hillock of the big stag" — is a 357m heathery knoll in the NC53 grid square between Loch Loyal and Loch Meadie. The name comes from generations of stalking lore.

Gaelic: “small hill, the, big” · Pronunciation: k-nok an daimh more

Quick facts

Height: 357m/ 1171ft
Prominence: 162 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NC 53311 42707
Nearest city: Inverness· 98km
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

blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Easiest from the B873 by Loch Meadie: cross the rough watershed pathless to gain the gentle east shoulder. Roughly 3-4 hours round trip.

Terrain

Bog cotton, reed and mossy peat hummocks on the approach. A small lochan immediately below the summit makes a fine reflection point.

In winter

Frozen bog and a sub-400m summit make this one of the better short winter days in Sutherland. Beware sudden ice on the leeward heather.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Cnoc an Daimh Mor. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest 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

Glasgow6h 28m
Edinburgh7h 5m

OS maps: OS Landranger 10, OS Explorer 447S

Mobile signal: Poor. No networks reach this summit. Emergency plans essential.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 19mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:45
Sunset: 19:43
Civil dawn: 06:04
Civil dusk: 20:23

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Cnoc an Daimh Mor on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Lairg station

Central Sutherland; Ben Klibreck approach; gateway to Far North inland

38km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Durness

Cape Wrath base; Smoo Cave; Sandwood Bay walk-in

28km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Cnoc an Daimh Mor — common questions

How difficult is Cnoc an Daimh Mor?: Cnoc an Daimh Mor carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Bog cotton, reed and mossy peat hummocks on the approach.
What is Cnoc an Daimh Mor's prominence?: 162m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Cnoc an Daimh Mor to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Cnoc an Daimh Mor?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Cnoc an Daimh Mor. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Cnoc an Daimh Mor dog-friendly?: 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 Cnoc an Daimh Mor?: Poor. No networks reach this summit. Emergency plans essential.
Is Cnoc an Daimh Mor safe in winter?: Frozen bog and a sub-400m summit make this one of the better short winter days in Sutherland. Beware sudden ice on the leeward heather.

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