Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Cruach nam Fearna
Cruach nam Fearna, the Stack of the Alders, is a 332m hill in remote country east of Loch Craignish in mid-Argyll. Alder thickets line the lower burns and give the hill its descriptive name.
Quick facts
- Height
- 332m/ 1089ft
- Prominence
- 204 m
- Grid ref
- NM 82325 15105
- Nearest city
- Oban· 15km
- 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 60% · alder woodland 20% · rocky summit 20%
Approach from the minor road east of Ardfern through forestry plantations, then break out onto open ground to the cairn. There is no formed path on the hill; allow 3 to 4 hours for a careful round.
Terrain
Boggy alder carr on the lower ground, with deer-grazed heather and small schist outcrops above. Plantation rides can be impassably overgrown or freshly felled depending on the year.
In winter
Low elevation keeps the hill mostly snow-free, but boggy alder ground freezes into rough lumpy terrain that twists ankles. Forestry workings may continue in winter.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 27m
- Edinburgh6h 5m
OS maps: OS Landranger 55, OS Explorer 359
Mobile signal: Poor. Signal absent end to end; remote Argyll glen blocks all coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:51
- Sunset
- 19:45
- Civil dawn
- 06:13
- Civil dusk
- 20:23
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Cruach nam Fearna 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
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Oban
Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles
15km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cruach nam Fearna — common questions
- How hard is Cruach nam Fearna?
- We grade Cruach nam Fearna at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Boggy alder carr on the lower ground, with deer-grazed heather and small schist outcrops above.
- How prominent is Cruach nam Fearna?
- Cruach nam Fearna has 204m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I climb Cruach nam Fearna?
- The standard good-weather months for Cruach nam Fearna 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 nam Fearna?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Cruach nam Fearna?
- Poor. Signal absent end to end; remote Argyll glen blocks all coverage.
- Is Cruach nam Fearna safe in winter?
- Low elevation keeps the hill mostly snow-free, but boggy alder ground freezes into rough lumpy terrain that twists ankles. Forestry workings may continue in winter.
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