Marilyn · Argyll & Bute
Tom nam Fitheach
Tom nam Fitheach — the Knoll of the Ravens — is a 275m hill west of Loch Frisa on the north arm of Mull, named for the resident raven pair that nests on its small basalt buttress. The Mull White-tailed Eagle Project frequently sees birds quartering over its slopes.
Quick facts
- Height
- 275.5m/ 904ft
- Prominence
- 181 m
- Grid ref
- NM 46933 48436
- Nearest city
- Oban· 43km
- 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
heather and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
From the Forestry car park at Aros Park or the layby on the B8073 climb west into the open ground above the treeline and follow the broad ridge to the cairn. Most parties take 2 to 2.5 hours for the round.
Terrain
Mixed bog, heather and small basalt outcrops. The lower slope through the forestry edge can be brashy underfoot from clear-fell — gaiters help.
In winter
Low enough to be reliably snow-free. Best avoided in stormy weather, however, as the wind picks up on the ridge and there is no shelter on top.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 10m
- Edinburgh8h 45m
Ferry access
Oban → Craignure
- Crossing time45 min
- Summer sailingsUp to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead7 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — sailings run until ~21:00 in peak summer
Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 47, OS Landranger 48, OS Explorer 374E
Mobile signal: Minimal. signal fades on the walk-in; Mull basalt hills often block coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:21
- Sunset
- 21:41
- Civil dawn
- 04:31
- Civil dusk
- 22:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Tom nam Fitheach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Oban station
Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections
43km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Tobermory
Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tobermory
Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky
8km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Tom nam Fitheach — common questions
- What difficulty is Tom nam Fitheach?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Tom nam Fitheach comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: Mixed bog, heather and small basalt outcrops.
- What is Tom nam Fitheach's prominence?
- 181m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Tom nam Fitheach to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Tom nam Fitheach?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Tom nam Fitheach. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Tom nam Fitheach dog-friendly?
- 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 Tom nam Fitheach?
- Minimal. signal fades on the walk-in; Mull basalt hills often block coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Tom nam Fitheach?
- Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
- Is Tom nam Fitheach safe in winter?
- Low enough to be reliably snow-free. Best avoided in stormy weather, however, as the wind picks up on the ridge and there is no shelter on top.
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