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
- Grid ref
- NM 82721 88718
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 31km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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
- 04:28
- Sunset
- 22:18
- Civil dawn
- 03:20
- Civil dusk
- 23:25
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 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?
- Druim a' Chuirn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Wet heather and bog-myrtle low down — typical Rough Bounds underfoot — then drier short heather and small rocky outcrops on the ridge.
- When is the best time to climb Druim a' Chuirn?
- The standard good-weather months for Druim a' Chuirn 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 Druim a' Chuirn?
- 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 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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