Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Druim a' Chuirn
Druim a Chuirn, the ridge of the cairn, is a 584m heather hill in the Rough Bounds country between Loch Eilt and Loch Beoraid, west of Glenfinnan. It is a fine viewpoint for the inner sea lochs and the western edge of Knoydart.
Quick facts
- Height
- 584m/ 1916ft
- Prominence
- 182 m
- Grid ref
- NM 82721 88718
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 31km
- 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 moorland 60% · rocky slopes 25% · grass slopes 15%
From the A830 near Loch Eilt, follow the estate path north-west into the open hill and then take a long heather pull onto the broad ridge. Trackless on the upper hill but the direction is obvious. Around 4 to 5 hours.
Terrain
Wet heather and bog-myrtle low down — typical Rough Bounds underfoot — then drier short heather and small rocky outcrops on the ridge. The broken ground around lochans on the plateau slows pace.
In winter
At 584m the hill stays mostly walkable through winter; snow cover varies week to week with the Atlantic weather. Verglas on the rock steps near the cairn is the main hazard. Spikes and a short axe sufficient.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 25m
- Edinburgh7h 40m
OS maps: OS Landranger 40, OS Explorer 398E
Mobile signal: Poor. The A830 corridor has patchy signal; off the road it disappears quickly.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 21:41
- Civil dawn
- 04:25
- Civil dusk
- 22:32
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Druim a' Chuirn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Druim a' Chuirn — common questions
- How hard is Druim a' Chuirn?
- We grade Druim a' Chuirn at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Ground conditions: Wet heather and bog-myrtle low down — typical Rough Bounds underfoot — then drier short heather and small rocky outcrops on the ridge.
- How much drop does Druim a' Chuirn have?
- The drop is 182m: measured from the summit of Druim a' Chuirn 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 Druim a' Chuirn?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Druim a' Chuirn. 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 Druim a' Chuirn?
- 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 Druim a' Chuirn?
- Poor. The A830 corridor has patchy signal; off the road it disappears quickly.
- Is Druim a' Chuirn safe in winter?
- At 584m the hill stays mostly walkable through winter; snow cover varies week to week with the Atlantic weather. Verglas on the rock steps near the cairn is the main hazard. Spikes and a short axe sufficient.
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