Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Gometra
Gometra is the high point of the small tidal island of the same name, joined to Ulva by a footbridge and lying off the west coast of Mull. The 155m summit is grassy and rounded, but the position is wonderful — open Atlantic on three sides, with Staffa, Lunga and the Treshnish Isles laid out below. Reaching it requires two boat crossings and a long walk in across Ulva.
Quick facts
- Height
- 155m/ 509ft
- Prominence
- 155 m
- Grid ref
- NM 36123 41400
- 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
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
heather and grass 65% · rocky slopes 25% · coastal grass 10%
Take the small Ulva ferry from Mull, walk the four miles west across Ulva to the Gometra footbridge, then continue another mile or so to climb the easy southern flank of the hill. The summit is unmistakable: a low grassy dome marked by a small cairn. Allow most of a day including ferry waits.
Terrain
Cropped machair turf and sheep-grazed grass make for surprisingly easy walking once on the hill. The track across Ulva is firm. Rocky outcrops near the summit are dry basalt — secure underfoot.
In winter
Winter ascents are feasible but rarely worth the logistics: the Ulva ferry runs reduced services and the wind on Gometra can be ferocious. Frosts harden the going but snow is rarely more than a dusting.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 31m
- Edinburgh8h 8m
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 47, OS Landranger 48, OS Explorer 374W
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote small island (Gometra, Mull group); very limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:22
- Sunset
- 21:41
- Civil dawn
- 04:32
- Civil dusk
- 22:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Gometra on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
51km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Tobermory
Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tobermory
Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky
20km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Gometra — common questions
- How hard is Gometra?
- We grade Gometra at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Cropped machair turf and sheep-grazed grass make for surprisingly easy walking once on the hill.
- How much drop does Gometra have?
- Gometra's prominence is its full height — 155m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Gometra?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Gometra. 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 Gometra?
- 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 Gometra?
- Poor. Remote small island (Gometra, Mull group); very limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Gometra?
- 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 Gometra safe in winter?
- Winter ascents are feasible but rarely worth the logistics: the Ulva ferry runs reduced services and the wind on Gometra can be ferocious. Frosts harden the going but snow is rarely more than a dusting.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.