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.

By Gary

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

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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
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
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%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Approached from Daill via the Cape Wrath ferry and minibus, then 4km of walking onto the hill. The ferry runs Easter to September only; outside that window the walk-in from Rhiconich approaches 20km each way.

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 British mainland — Atlantic storms drive directly onto its summit. The ferry does not run, making the hill effectively inaccessible from December to March for day walkers.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Sgribhis-bheinn. 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

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

14h 20mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:46
Sunset: 19:45
Civil dawn: 06:05
Civil dusk: 20:25

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Sgribhis-bheinn on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Durness

Cape Wrath base; Smoo Cave; Sandwood Bay walk-in

9km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

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 British mainland — Atlantic storms drive directly onto its summit. The ferry does not run, making the hill effectively inaccessible from December to March for day walkers.

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