What difficulty is White Grunafirth?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, White Grunafirth comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Wet peat moor with belts of heather and the occasional rocky knoll.

How much drop does White Grunafirth have?

The drop is 155m: measured from the summit of White Grunafirth 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 White Grunafirth?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on White Grunafirth. 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 White Grunafirth?

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 · Orkney & Shetland

White Grunafirth

White Grunafirth sits in the north-west of the Shetland Mainland, above the head of Gruna Voe and within walking distance of the dramatic Eshaness coast. The 173m summit is a quiet peat dome that gives a fine close-up of the cliffs and stacks of the Northmaven peninsula.

Quick facts

Height: 173m/ 568ft
Prominence: 155 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: HU 27562 80727
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

Park on the lane near Heylor or Sullom and head north-west over rough moorland to the broad summit. Pathless throughout but the open ground gives plenty of visibility on a clear day.

Terrain

Wet peat moor with belts of heather and the occasional rocky knoll. The ground is wetter than it looks from the road; expect to detour around the deepest hags.

In winter

Storms straight off the Atlantic batter Northmaven all winter; snow rare but spindrift, hail and salt are constant companions. Daylight is short and tracks turn to mire.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers White Grunafirth. 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. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, 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

Glasgow14h 59m
Edinburgh13h 35m

Ferry access

Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland)

Crossing time720 min
Summer sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead14 days

A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.

Book on ferry operator ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 3, OS Explorer 469N

Mobile signal: Poor. Every network fails on this Shetland summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 30mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:30
Sunset: 19:33
Civil dawn: 05:47
Civil dusk: 20:17

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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White Grunafirth — common questions

What difficulty is White Grunafirth?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, White Grunafirth comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Wet peat moor with belts of heather and the occasional rocky knoll.
How much drop does White Grunafirth have?: The drop is 155m: measured from the summit of White Grunafirth 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 White Grunafirth?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on White Grunafirth. 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 White Grunafirth?: 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 White Grunafirth?: Poor. Every network fails on this Shetland summit.
How do I get the ferry to White Grunafirth?: Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland). Daily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct) in summer; Daily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
Is White Grunafirth safe in winter?: Storms straight off the Atlantic batter Northmaven all winter; snow rare but spindrift, hail and salt are constant companions. Daylight is short and tracks turn to mire.

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