Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Knap of Trowieglen
The Knap of Trowieglen is the southern Marilyn of Hoy, a brooding 399m sandstone summit above the Rackwick valley. Less visited than Ward Hill or Cuilags, it gives a quieter taste of Hoy's wild south-western edge.
Quick facts
- Height
- 399m/ 1309ft
- Prominence
- 354 m
- Grid ref
- ND 23973 98459
- 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 75% · heather patches 20% · summit area 5%
Walkers usually start from Rackwick Bay and climb the slopes above the bothy onto the broad east ridge. The going is heathery and steep in places; pair with a coastal walk to the Old Man for a long, varied day.
Terrain
Heather and tussock grass on the lower slopes, with peat hags higher up and a stony summit crown. Rackwick valley is rough but firm; the upper slopes hold bog in places.
In winter
Snow can linger in the gullies above Rackwick and the bothy floor is a useful retreat in bad weather. Days are short and the Hoy ferry from Houton is the constraint on any winter visit.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow8h 9m
- Edinburgh8h 33m
Ferry access
Scrabster → Stromness (Orkney)
- Crossing time90 min
- Summer sailings3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings2 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead7 days
- Last ferry backCheck NorthLink timetable — last sailing back varies seasonally
Alternative: Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay → St Margaret's Hope (1h, more frequent) or Aberdeen → Kirkwall overnight. Hoy hills are a further short inter-island ferry hop from Stromness.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 6, OS Landranger 7, OS Explorer 462
Mobile signal: Poor. South Hoy is a dead zone on most networks; Rackwick bothy has no signal.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:39
- Sunset
- 19:39
- Civil dawn
- 05:58
- Civil dusk
- 20:20
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Knap of Trowieglen on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Knap of Trowieglen — common questions
- How hard is Knap of Trowieglen?
- We grade Knap of Trowieglen at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Heather and tussock grass on the lower slopes, with peat hags higher up and a stony summit crown.
- How prominent is Knap of Trowieglen?
- Knap of Trowieglen has 354m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I climb Knap of Trowieglen?
- The standard good-weather months for Knap of Trowieglen 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 Knap of Trowieglen?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Knap of Trowieglen?
- Poor. South Hoy is a dead zone on most networks; Rackwick bothy has no signal.
- How do I get the ferry to Knap of Trowieglen?
- Scrabster → Stromness (Orkney). 3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 2 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Alternative: Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay → St Margaret's Hope (1h, more frequent) or Aberdeen → Kirkwall overnight. Hoy hills are a further short inter-island ferry hop from Stromness.
- Is Knap of Trowieglen safe in winter?
- Snow can linger in the gullies above Rackwick and the bothy floor is a useful retreat in bad weather. Days are short and the Hoy ferry from Houton is the constraint on any winter visit.
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