Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Sgorr nam Faoileann
Sgorr nam Faoileann — the Peak of the Gulls — is a 429m Marilyn on south-eastern Islay, forming part of the same wild moorland chain as Beinn Bheigier and Glas Bheinn. The summit gives sweeping views over the Sound of Jura.
Quick facts
- Height
- 429m/ 1407ft
- Prominence
- 171 m
- Grid ref
- NR 43302 60650
- 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 and bog 60% · rocky slopes 25% · grass slopes 15%
Reached from the same Ardtalla starting point, often as a three-summit traverse with its higher neighbours. As a stand-alone outing expect a 3-hour round trip across rough terrain.
Terrain
Open Islay moorland of heather and peat. The upper slopes have some short rocky steps but nothing approaching a scramble.
In winter
Wind is the perennial concern. Snow is rare and never deep. A clear winter day on this ridge can give superb visibility for hours.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 46m
- Edinburgh8h 32m
Ferry access
Kennacraig → Port Askaig or Port Ellen
- Crossing time135 min
- Summer sailings2–3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings1–2 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable
OS maps: OS Landranger 60, OS Explorer 352
Mobile signal: Minimal. signal falls away en route; Islay's eastern moorland has no coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:25
- Sunset
- 21:36
- Civil dawn
- 04:37
- Civil dusk
- 22:25
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Sgorr nam Faoileann on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Sgorr nam Faoileann — common questions
- What difficulty is Sgorr nam Faoileann?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sgorr nam Faoileann comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: Open Islay moorland of heather and peat.
- What is Sgorr nam Faoileann's prominence?
- 171m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sgorr nam Faoileann to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Sgorr nam Faoileann?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Sgorr nam Faoileann. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Sgorr nam Faoileann dog-friendly?
- 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 Sgorr nam Faoileann?
- Minimal. signal falls away en route; Islay's eastern moorland has no coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Sgorr nam Faoileann?
- Kennacraig → Port Askaig or Port Ellen. 2–3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1–2 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead.
- Is Sgorr nam Faoileann safe in winter?
- Wind is the perennial concern. Snow is rare and never deep. A clear winter day on this ridge can give superb visibility for hours.
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