Cnoc na Maoile

About Cnoc na Maoile

Rising above the western shores of Loch Broom, this rounded Marilyn offers a perspective far grander than its modest height suggests. The terrain is typical Wester Ross—a mix of rough heather and pathless slopes. It serves as an exceptional grandstand for viewing the Summer Isles and the formidable serrated ridge of An Teallach.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Cnoc na Maoile, meaning "hill of the bare head" or "brow." This refers to its characteristic rounded summit, which lacks the jagged, rocky features found on its more dramatic neighbours.
• •From the summit, walkers are rewarded with a classic Northwest Highland vista: the deep waters of Loch Broom lie immediately below, while the distinctive profile of Beinn Ghobhlach stands prominently to the northwest across the water.
• •Because the ascent often begins near sea level from the roadside at Letters or Loggie, you are required to climb almost every one of its 401 metres, making it a more substantial physical effort than the statistics might imply.
• •The hill is a noted Marilyn—a classification for hills with at least 150 metres of prominence—ensuring that despite its lower elevation, it stands as a significant and isolated landform in the local landscape.
• •In true Northwest Highland fashion, the hill manages to feel significantly larger than it is, primarily by ensuring that any step off a direct line is met with a refreshing amount of local bog.