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Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Da Noup [The Noup]
Da Noup is the southern summit of Foula, the remote Atlantic island that sits twenty miles west of the Shetland Mainland. At 248m it shares the island with the higher Hamnafield and Da Kame, all of them surrounded by some of the highest sea cliffs in Britain.
Quick facts
- Height
- 248m/ 814ft
- Prominence
- 179 m
- Grid ref
- HT 95444 37514
- 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
grass moorland 55% · heather patches 25% · coastal cliffs 20%
From the small settlement of Hametoun a faint trace climbs through croftland and onto the steep grass of the south flank. Walkers usually pair this with the higher Foula peaks; the ferry or flight from Shetland Mainland dictates the day plan.
Terrain
Short cropped sheep-grazed turf, peaty hollows, and outcrops of Old Red Sandstone, with sheer drops to the southwest where the cliffs fall to the Atlantic. Stay well back from the edge in any wind.
In winter
Foula is one of the windiest inhabited places in the UK and gales close the ferry for days at a time in winter. Snow is unusual but cloud, rain and salt-laden spray make even a low summit serious.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow12h 22m
- Edinburgh11h 10m
Ferry access
Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland)
- Crossing time720 min
- Summer sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 4, OS Explorer 467W
Mobile signal: Poor. Foula island, west Shetland; no reliable network coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:43
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 03:40
- Civil dusk
- 22:49
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Da Noup [The Noup] — common questions
- How hard is Da Noup [The Noup]?
- We grade Da Noup [The Noup] at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Short cropped sheep-grazed turf, peaty hollows, and outcrops of Old Red Sandstone, with sheer drops to the southwest where the cliffs fall to the Atlantic.
- What is Da Noup [The Noup]'s prominence?
- 179m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Da Noup [The Noup] to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Da Noup [The Noup]?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Da Noup [The Noup]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Da Noup [The Noup] dog-friendly?
- 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 Da Noup [The Noup]?
- Poor. Foula island, west Shetland; no reliable network coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Da Noup [The Noup]?
- Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland). Daily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct) in summer; Daily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
- Is Da Noup [The Noup] safe in winter?
- Foula is one of the windiest inhabited places in the UK and gales close the ferry for days at a time in winter. Snow is unusual but cloud, rain and salt-laden spray make even a low summit serious.
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