Scotland
Cnoc nan Cuilean
558M
1831FT
About Cnoc nan Cuilean
Tucked away on the Applecross peninsula, this Marilyn offers a rugged, pathless ascent through classic Northwest Highland terrain of heather and peat. While modest in height, its isolated position provides an outstanding vantage point over the Inner Sound toward the Isle of Skye and the towering sandstone ramparts of Beinn Bhan.
Key Statistics
Rank
128th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
208m
Nearest Town
Syre
Geology
You are walking over a mix of ancient, banded rocks and tough, granite-like crystals. These hard layers form the sturdy foundation of this rugged hill.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NC597461
Latitude
58.3816°N
Longitude
4.4004°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic for 'Hill of the Puppies' or 'Hill of the Whelps', a title likely referring to the historical training of hunting hounds or a forgotten local folk tale involving young dogs.
- •From the summit, the view west is dominated by the jagged skyline of the Cuillin on Skye and the distinctive flat-topped silhouette of Dun Caan on the Isle of Raasay.
- •Most walkers approach from the Bealach na Bà, the highest road pass in Scotland, which provides a high-level starting point but does not exempt the climber from navigating relentless bogs and rocky outcrops.
- •The terrain is characteristically unforgiving; what appears on a map as a gentle 558-metre slope usually translates on the ground to a spirited game of 'dodge the peat hag' that makes the hill feel twice as tall.