Marilyn · skye
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
- Grid ref
- NG 65172 13195
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%
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.
Best time of year
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
- Sunrise
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:21
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Sgorach Breac on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
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 TripSCOTBase yourself in Mallaig
Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply
16km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter 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?
- Sgorach Breac is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Bumpy quartzite outcrops scattered through deep heather.
- When is the best time to 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?
- 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 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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