Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Smean
Smean — a curiously short Gaelic name — is a 511m crag-topped hill in the ND03 grid square in the Knockfin Heights of Caithness. Tor-like sandstone stacks decorate the summit.
Quick facts
- Height
- 511m/ 1677ft
- Grid ref
- ND 03260 27624
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 90km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%
Approach from the Dunbeath strath via stalkers tracks, then strike onto the open hill from the head of the glen. Allow 6-7 hours for the long round trip.
Terrain
Knockfin sandstone tors crown a long approach over wet peat. The tors themselves offer easy scrambling and unmistakable identification of the true top.
In winter
The tors hold rime and verglas after frost; movement around them needs care. Snow in the peat hollows can be waist-deep when wind-packed.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 19m
- Edinburgh6h 0m
OS maps: OS Landranger 17, OS Explorer 444E
Mobile signal: Very poor. No reliable signal; a GPS tracker is strongly recommended.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:09
- Sunset
- 22:22
- Civil dawn
- 02:52
- Civil dusk
- 23:39
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Smean on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Smean — common questions
- How hard is Smean?
- Smean is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Knockfin sandstone tors crown a long approach over wet peat.
- When is the best time to climb Smean?
- The standard good-weather months for Smean 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 Smean?
- 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 Smean?
- Very poor. No reliable signal; a GPS tracker is strongly recommended.
- Is Smean safe in winter?
- The tors hold rime and verglas after frost; movement around them needs care. Snow in the peat hollows can be waist-deep when wind-packed.
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