Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Cnoc an t-Sabhail
This first Cnoc an t-Sabhail — knoll of the barn — stands 380m at NH 694 786 on the high ground above Edderton. The name is common in northern Scotland and reflects a flat-topped profile resembling a hay barn. It is the higher of two Sutherland hills sharing this name.
Quick facts
- Height
- 380m/ 1247ft
- Prominence
- 209 m
- Grid ref
- NH 69440 78694
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 34km
- 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 and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
Best approached from the B9176 (the Struie road) at the Aultnamain Inn, walking 2km north onto open heather. There are no paths but the gradient is gentle throughout. A 3-hour outing.
Terrain
Moine schist with deep peat on the lower slopes. The summit dome is firmer ground of cropped heather and tussock grass; the flat top really does suggest a barn roof from certain angles.
In winter
Modest altitude and an east-coast location keep snow cover transient. A useful winter half-day combined with the second Cnoc an t-Sabhail to the north; both are easy when the high hills are storm-bound.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 58m
- Edinburgh5h 24m
OS maps: OS Landranger 21, OS Explorer 438W
Mobile signal: Very poor. Satellite phone or PLB essential on this remote hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:44
- Sunset
- 19:41
- Civil dawn
- 06:04
- Civil dusk
- 20:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Cnoc an t-Sabhail on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Tain station
Easter Ross — Ben Wyvis approach, Glenmorangie distillery
9km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
34km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Balblair
Edderton — Easter Ross distillery with vintage-led range
8km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cnoc an t-Sabhail — common questions
- Is Cnoc an t-Sabhail a hard climb?
- Cnoc an t-Sabhail is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Moine schist with deep peat on the lower slopes.
- What is Cnoc an t-Sabhail's prominence?
- 209m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Cnoc an t-Sabhail 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 t-Sabhail?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Cnoc an t-Sabhail. 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 t-Sabhail 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 t-Sabhail?
- Very poor. Satellite phone or PLB essential on this remote hill.
- Is Cnoc an t-Sabhail safe in winter?
- Modest altitude and an east-coast location keep snow cover transient. A useful winter half-day combined with the second Cnoc an t-Sabhail to the north; both are easy when the high hills are storm-bound.
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