Marilyn · argyll
Cnoc an Ime
Cnoc an Ime — the Hill of Butter — is a quiet 303m Marilyn in southern Knapdale. The name hints at the rich grazing of these slopes. Sea views to the Sound of Jura crown the modest summit.
Gaelic: “small hill, the, butter” · Pronunciation: k-nok an ime
Quick facts
- Height
- 303m/ 994ft
- Grid ref
- NR 59050 80164
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
A walk-in from the B8024 west of Achahoish through forestry tracks leads onto open ground for the final climb. Round trip around 2-3 hours.
Terrain
Mixed forestry plantation rides and open heather. The summit is grassy with a small cairn. No rocky sections of note.
In winter
A solid winter choice with the forestry approach giving shelter. Snow rarely lies long; the bog is the only real obstacle in wet weather.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 10m
- Edinburgh7h 55m
Ferry access
Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura)
- Crossing time145 min
- Summer sailingsIslay: 1–2 CalMac sailings daily. Jura ferry: frequent throughout the day
- Winter sailingsIslay: 1 CalMac sailing daily. Jura ferry: reduced but regular
- Book ahead21 days
- Last ferry backLast Jura ferry ~17:00; last Islay sailing varies — check both timetables
Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (2h15), then the short Jura passenger ferry (10 min) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 61, OS Explorer 355S
Mobile signal: Poor. Knapdale interior; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:37
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:35
- Civil dusk
- 23:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Cnoc an Ime on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
56km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Rothesay
Isle of Bute base; West Island Way; short Glasgow break
52km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Jura
Craighouse on Jura — island distillery in a single-street village
14km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cnoc an Ime — common questions
- How hard is Cnoc an Ime?
- Cnoc an Ime is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mixed forestry plantation rides and open heather.
- When is the best time to climb Cnoc an Ime?
- The standard good-weather months for Cnoc an Ime 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 Cnoc an Ime?
- 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 Ime?
- Poor. Knapdale interior; limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Cnoc an Ime?
- Kennacraig → Port Askaig (Islay) then Port Askaig → Feolin (Jura). Islay: 1–2 CalMac sailings daily. Jura ferry: frequent throughout the day in summer; Islay: 1 CalMac sailing daily. Jura ferry: reduced but regular in winter. Book at least 21 days ahead. Two ferries required: CalMac Kennacraig → Port Askaig (2h15), then the short Jura passenger ferry (10 min) from Port Askaig to Feolin. No car needed once on Jura for the Paps.
- Is Cnoc an Ime safe in winter?
- A solid winter choice with the forestry approach giving shelter. Snow rarely lies long; the bog is the only real obstacle in wet weather.
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