Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Cruachan Min
Cruachan Min — the Smooth Stack — is a 376m hill on the southern fringe of Mull's Ardmeanach peninsula, set above the Burg cliffs. The summit, true to its name, is a rounded grassy crown, sharply different from the basalt steps that drop into Loch Scridain.
Quick facts
- Height
- 376m/ 1234ft
- Prominence
- 261 m
- Grid ref
- NM 44579 21713
- Nearest city
- Oban· 42km
- 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%
Approach from the Tiroran end of the Burg track and ascend west onto the open hillside before turning south-west to the summit. The gradient is gentle once on the ridge. Plan on around 4 hours for the round including the long access path.
Terrain
A pleasant mix of short heather, grass and occasional rock. The smooth upper hill is exceptionally easy walking by Mull standards once the bracken belt is cleared.
In winter
Generally a benign winter walk with snow rarely lying. Take care on the long access track in low winter sun — surface ice forms in shaded corners.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 1m
- Edinburgh8h 40m
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 48, OS Explorer 373
Mobile signal: Poor. No coverage start to finish; remote Mull glen has no infrastructure.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:23
- Sunset
- 21:39
- Civil dawn
- 04:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Cruachan Min on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cruachan Min — common questions
- What difficulty is Cruachan Min?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cruachan Min comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: A pleasant mix of short heather, grass and occasional rock.
- How prominent is Cruachan Min?
- Cruachan Min has 261m 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 Cruachan Min?
- The standard good-weather months for Cruachan Min 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 Min?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Cruachan Min?
- Poor. No coverage start to finish; remote Mull glen has no infrastructure.
- How do I get the ferry to Cruachan Min?
- 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 Min safe in winter?
- Generally a benign winter walk with snow rarely lying. Take care on the long access track in low winter sun — surface ice forms in shaded corners.
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