Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Cruachan Charna
Cruachan Charna is the high point of Carna, a small uninhabited island lying in Loch Sunart. At just 170m it ranks among Scotland's most logistically interesting Marilyns — you need a boat to reach it.
Quick facts
- Height
- 170m/ 558ft
- Grid ref
- NM 61832 58973
- Nearest city
- Oban· 37km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather and bog 60% · rocky slopes 25% · coastal grass 15%
Reach Carna by private charter or kayak from Glenborrodale or the Morvern shore, landing on the south-east beach. From there it is a short heathery climb of about an hour return, but plan the tides and weather window before committing.
Terrain
Open island moor of heather, bracken and exposed rock with no path. Coastal grass on the landing ground. The ascent itself is short but the sea crossing dominates the day.
In winter
Winter rarely brings snow at this height but Atlantic storms can strand visitors on the island. Choose a settled forecast and confirm pickup before crossing.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 43m
- Edinburgh7h 13m
Ferry access
Oban → Craignure
- Crossing time45 min
- Summer sailingsUp to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead7 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — sailings run until ~21:00 in peak summer
Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 49, OS Explorer 383W
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Morvern/Ardnamurchan coast; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:31
- Sunset
- 22:17
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:23
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Cruachan Charna on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Morar station
Silver Sands, Knoydart approach, Loch Morar
33km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Tobermory
Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona
12km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tobermory
Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky
12km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cruachan Charna — common questions
- How hard is Cruachan Charna?
- Cruachan Charna is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Open island moor of heather, bracken and exposed rock with no path.
- When is the best time to climb Cruachan Charna?
- The standard good-weather months for Cruachan Charna 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 Cruachan Charna?
- 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 Cruachan Charna?
- Poor. Remote Morvern/Ardnamurchan coast; limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Cruachan Charna?
- Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
- Is Cruachan Charna safe in winter?
- Winter rarely brings snow at this height but Atlantic storms can strand visitors on the island. Choose a settled forecast and confirm pickup before crossing.
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