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
- Prominence
- 276 m
- 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).
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
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
- 05:17
- Sunset
- 21:43
- Civil dawn
- 04:25
- Civil dusk
- 22:35
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 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?
- 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.
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.