Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Sgribhis-bheinn
Sgribhis-bheinn — possibly the scratched hill — rises to 371m at NC 319 713 on the Cape Wrath peninsula, the most northerly Marilyn in mainland Britain. The Gaelic name may refer to glacial striations still visible on the bare summit rock.
Quick facts
- Height
- 371m/ 1217ft
- Prominence
- 217 m
- Grid ref
- NC 31931 71339
- 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
blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%
Approached from the Cape Wrath road via the Keoldale ferry and minibus, then on foot onto the hill. The services run in season only — the operator lists its 2027 season as opening on 1 May, seven days a week — and can be delayed or stopped by tide, weather or military exercises. Outside the season the walk-in is very long.
Terrain
Cambrian quartzite cap over Lewisian gneiss — the summit pavement is heavily glaciated with the parallel scratches that may give the hill its name. Surrounding ground is the wettest blanket bog in Britain.
In winter
The most northerly Marilyn in mainland Britain and as exposed as anywhere on the mainland — Atlantic storms drive directly onto its summit. With the ferry and minibus out of season, it is effectively out of reach for day walkers through the winter.
Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 17m
- Edinburgh8h 9m
OS maps: OS Landranger 9, OS Explorer 446
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote north Sutherland; very limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:26
- Sunset
- 16:41
- Civil dawn
- 06:43
- Civil dusk
- 17:23
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
Around Sgribhis-bheinn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Sgribhis-bheinn — common questions
- How difficult is Sgribhis-bheinn?
- Sgribhis-bheinn carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Cambrian quartzite cap over Lewisian gneiss — the summit pavement is heavily glaciated with the parallel scratches that may give the hill its name.
- How much drop does Sgribhis-bheinn have?
- The drop is 217m: measured from the summit of Sgribhis-bheinn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Sgribhis-bheinn?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Sgribhis-bheinn. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Sgribhis-bheinn?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Sgribhis-bheinn?
- Poor. Remote north Sutherland; very limited coverage.
- Is Sgribhis-bheinn safe in winter?
- The most northerly Marilyn in mainland Britain and as exposed as anywhere on the mainland — Atlantic storms drive directly onto its summit. With the ferry and minibus out of season, it is effectively out of reach for day walkers through the winter.
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