When is the best time to climb The Slate?

The standard good-weather months for The Slate 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 Slate?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

When is the best time to climb The Slate?

The standard good-weather months for The Slate 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 Slate?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · argyll

The Slate

The Slate is a distinctive 384m hill on the southern Kintyre peninsula, named for the dark slatey outcrops crowning the summit. The view stretches across the North Channel to Ireland on clear days.

Quick facts

Height: 384m/ 1260ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 63386 16524
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A track from the road near Glenahervie climbs steadily before walkers leave it to push through heather onto the rocky top. Around three hours up and down.

Terrain

Forestry road on the lower slopes, then heather and tussock grass leading to broken slate outcrops at the summit. Sturdy boots help on the rocky finish.

In winter

Maritime climate keeps snow brief. Slate slabs become greasy when wet, demanding care.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 2m
Edinburgh7h 45m

OS maps: OS Landranger 68, OS Explorer 356S

Mobile signal: Poor. Dead zone. Download offline maps and inform a contact before setting out.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 25mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:41
Sunset: 22:07
Civil dawn: 03:41
Civil dusk: 23:06

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around The Slate on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Campbeltown

Kintyre Way finish; Mull of Kintyre; whisky town

10km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Springbank

Campbeltown — cult, family-owned, every step on site from floor malt to bottle

10km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

The Slate — common questions

How hard is The Slate?: The Slate is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry road on the lower slopes, then heather and tussock grass leading to broken slate outcrops at the summit.
When is the best time to climb The Slate?: The standard good-weather months for The Slate 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 Slate?: 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 Slate?: Poor. Dead zone. Download offline maps and inform a contact before setting out.
Is The Slate safe in winter?: Maritime climate keeps snow brief. Slate slabs become greasy when wet, demanding care.

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