Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Cruach nan Cuilean
Cruach nan Cuilean — the Stack of the Whelps — is a 432m hill above Loch Fyne in inner Argyll. The summit looks down across the loch toward the larger peaks of Cowal, with the Arrochar Alps lining the horizon to the north.
Quick facts
- Height
- 432m/ 1417ft
- Prominence
- 211 m
- Grid ref
- NS 04349 84798
- Nearest city
- Oban· 49km
- 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%
A short steep climb from the A815 north of Strachur. Forestry tracks help with the initial ascent but rough open ground is unavoidable for the upper third. Round trip 2-3 hours.
Terrain
Mixed forestry rides, heather and grass. Boggy hollows on the southern flank can be avoided by following the ridge directly.
In winter
Frost firms up the heather and makes for pleasant walking. Genuine snow cover is unusual; gaiters and a torch are typically all you need.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 20m
- Edinburgh5h 3m
OS maps: OS Landranger 56, OS Explorer 362N
Mobile signal: Minimal. EE registers nothing on summit; Vodafone also absent on this remote Argyll hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:50
- Sunset
- 19:43
- Civil dawn
- 06:12
- Civil dusk
- 20:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Cruach nan Cuilean on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cruach nan Cuilean — common questions
- What difficulty is Cruach nan Cuilean?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cruach nan Cuilean comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: Mixed forestry rides, heather and grass.
- How prominent is Cruach nan Cuilean?
- Cruach nan Cuilean has 211m 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 nan Cuilean?
- The standard good-weather months for Cruach nan Cuilean 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 nan Cuilean?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Cruach nan Cuilean?
- Minimal. EE registers nothing on summit; Vodafone also absent on this remote Argyll hill.
- Is Cruach nan Cuilean safe in winter?
- Frost firms up the heather and makes for pleasant walking. Genuine snow cover is unusual; gaiters and a torch are typically all you need.
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