How hard is Sgorach Breac?

We grade Sgorach Breac at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Bumpy quartzite outcrops scattered through deep heather.

How prominent is Sgorach Breac?

Sgorach Breac has 276m 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 Sgorach Breac?

The standard good-weather months for Sgorach Breac 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 Sgorach Breac?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Skye & The Small Isles

Sgorach Breac

Sgorach Breac (the speckled craggy hill) is a 299m rocky knoll on the central Sleat peninsula, distinguished by its mottled grey-and-green appearance from a mix of quartzite outcrops and heather. The Knoydart view is the highlight.

Quick facts

Height: 299m/ 981ft
Prominence: 276 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 65172 13195
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

heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park on the A851 near Knock or Drumfearn and follow tracks then open hillside to the summit. About 4-5 km return with steady climbing through heather.

Terrain

Bumpy quartzite outcrops scattered through deep heather. The going is slow but never technical — pick a line and zigzag through the knolls.

In winter

Low enough to escape most snow but the heather can ice over after freeze-thaw, making it like walking on greasy wire. Microspikes useful.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Sgorach Breac. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow5h 23m
Edinburgh8h 38m

OS maps: OS Landranger 32, OS Explorer 412

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Inner Hebrides island; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 14mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:51
Sunset: 19:47
Civil dawn: 06:12
Civil dusk: 20:26

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Sgorach Breac on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Mallaig station

End of the Road to the Isles — ferry to Skye, Knoydart, Small Isles

16km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Mallaig

Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply

16km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Isle of Raasay Distillery

Raasay — new island distillery with rooms; Dun Caan walks from the door

26km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Sgorach Breac — common questions

How hard is Sgorach Breac?: We grade Sgorach Breac at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Bumpy quartzite outcrops scattered through deep heather.
How prominent is Sgorach Breac?: Sgorach Breac has 276m 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 Sgorach Breac?: The standard good-weather months for Sgorach Breac 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 Sgorach Breac?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Sgorach Breac?: Poor. Remote Inner Hebrides island; limited coverage.
Is Sgorach Breac safe in winter?: Low enough to escape most snow but the heather can ice over after freeze-thaw, making it like walking on greasy wire. Microspikes useful.

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