Marilyn · Argyll
Deadh Choimhead
Deadh Choimhead — the Good Lookout — is a 383m Marilyn between Lochs Awe and Avich. The name reflects its role as a panoramic point over the mid-Argyll lochs and forests.
Quick facts
- Height
- 383m/ 1257ft
- Prominence
- 283 m
- Grid ref
- NM 94687 28642
- Nearest city
- Oban· 9km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather and bog 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
Start from the B845 near Kilmelford or from forestry car parks off the Loch Avich road. A mix of track and rough open hill leads to the cairn; budget around 3 hours for the round.
Terrain
Forestry tracks lower down, then bog, heather and tussock on the open hillside. A small rocky crown gives the views suggested by the name.
In winter
Generally benign but iced track surfaces can be slippery and the bog freezes into uneven, ankle-twisting ground. Microspikes help on hard days.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 7m
- Edinburgh6h 39m
OS maps: OS Landranger 49, OS Explorer 360N, OS Explorer 376
Mobile signal: Poor. No coverage on summit or approach; Loch Awe-side has limited infrastructure.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:19
- Sunset
- 21:37
- Civil dawn
- 04:29
- Civil dusk
- 22:27
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Deadh Choimhead on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Deadh Choimhead — common questions
- Is Deadh Choimhead a hard climb?
- Deadh Choimhead is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Forestry tracks lower down, then bog, heather and tussock on the open hillside.
- How much drop does Deadh Choimhead have?
- The drop is 283m: measured from the summit of Deadh Choimhead down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Deadh Choimhead?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Deadh Choimhead. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Deadh Choimhead?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Deadh Choimhead?
- Poor. No coverage on summit or approach; Loch Awe-side has limited infrastructure.
- Is Deadh Choimhead safe in winter?
- Generally benign but iced track surfaces can be slippery and the bog freezes into uneven, ankle-twisting ground. Microspikes help on hard days.
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