Marilyn · Argyll
Cruach na Seilcheig
Cruach na Seilcheig — the Stack of the Snails — is a 304m Marilyn near the mouth of Loch Craignish in inner Argyll. The summit looks south over the Sound of Jura and the famous Corryvreckan strait.
Quick facts
- Height
- 304m/ 997ft
- Grid ref
- NR 67816 98476
- Nearest city
- Oban· 36km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · rocky ground 30% · boggy ground 15%
A short walk from minor roads east of Carsaig Bay. Tracks lead partway up the hill before petering out into heather. Expect a 2-hour outing if the route is found cleanly.
Terrain
Lower heather slopes lead onto rocky knolls near the top. Some short steep sections demand care, especially in wet weather.
In winter
Generally accessible year-round. Snow is fleeting at this elevation; frost makes the rocks slippery rather than the heather difficult.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 54m
- Edinburgh7h 36m
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 55, OS Landranger 61, OS Explorer 355N
Mobile signal: Poor. Mid-Argyll interior; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:37
- Sunset
- 22:14
- Civil dawn
- 03:35
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 27 June 2026
Around Cruach na Seilcheig on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cruach na Seilcheig — common questions
- How hard is Cruach na Seilcheig?
- Cruach na Seilcheig is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Lower heather slopes lead onto rocky knolls near the top.
- When is the best time to climb Cruach na Seilcheig?
- The standard good-weather months for Cruach na Seilcheig 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 Cruach na Seilcheig?
- 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 Cruach na Seilcheig?
- Poor. Mid-Argyll interior; limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Cruach na Seilcheig?
- 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 Cruach na Seilcheig safe in winter?
- Generally accessible year-round. Snow is fleeting at this elevation; frost makes the rocks slippery rather than the heather difficult.
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