Marilyn · perthshire
The Fruin
The Fruin is the broad 361m hill that gives its name to Glen Fruin, scene of the 1603 clan battle between MacGregors and Colquhouns. The summit at NS 276 872 sits on the watershed between Glen Fruin and the Vale of Leven, with grand views south to the Firth of Clyde and east across the lower reach of Loch Lomond.
Quick facts
- Height
- 361m/ 1184ft
- Grid ref
- NS 27626 87220
- Nearest city
- Glasgow· 38km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
grass and bracken 55% · heather moorland 35% · summit area 10%
The cleanest line starts from the public road through Glen Fruin near Auchenheglish, climbing pathless grass and rush onto the south-east ridge. A clear quad track helps in the middle section before fading on the open summit dome.
Terrain
Sheep-cropped grass and rush throughout — fast going underfoot apart from a few boggy hollows near the burns. Two crossings of fence lines via stiles. No exposure anywhere on the hill.
In winter
A low rolling hill where deep snow is rare; the grass freezes hard in cold easterlies, making for fast going. The main winter concern is hidden mud-and-ice in the field gateways near the road.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 25m
- Edinburgh4h 5m
OS maps: OS Landranger 56, OS Explorer 0038, OS Explorer 347
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Views across the Vale of Leven.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:08
- Civil dawn
- 03:29
- Civil dusk
- 23:10
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around The Fruin on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Helensburgh Upper station
Three Lochs Way; Gareloch and Loch Long ridge approaches
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Luss
West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way
10km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Loch Lomond
Alexandria — sprawling distillery on the south end of the loch
13km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
The Fruin — common questions
- How hard is The Fruin?
- The Fruin is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep-cropped grass and rush throughout — fast going underfoot apart from a few boggy hollows near the burns.
- When is the best time to climb The Fruin?
- The standard good-weather months for The Fruin 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 The Fruin?
- 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 The Fruin?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Views across the Vale of Leven.
- Is The Fruin safe in winter?
- A low rolling hill where deep snow is rare; the grass freezes hard in cold easterlies, making for fast going. The main winter concern is hidden mud-and-ice in the field gateways near the road.
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