Walk: Cnoc Croit na Maoile – are you sitting comfortably?

📌 Muir of Ord, Highland
★★★

The tracks and paths to the top of this difficult-to-pronounce little hill near Muir of Ord aren’t particularly interesting, but the views from the whitewashed trig-point-cum-seat on a clear day exceed what you might expect from such a lowly elevation. The Beauly and Cromarty firths both point inwards towards this summit, with Loch nam Bonnach also visible from the top. To the west, rows of lofty peaks if the weather gods are with you – which unfortunately wasn’t really the case on our visit. It’s probably also possible to make a full circuit taking in Loch nam Bonnach to the southwest, but we haven’t tried it yet. The Bad Girl Bakery in nearby Muir of Ord has an exquisite selection of delicious cakes for afterwards.

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at minor road corner, west side of Corry of Ardnagask

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 493483

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.499719,-4.500275

❌ No public transport within 1 mi. Muir of Ord (2 mi) is served by train / bus

🚗 Verge parking – don’t block access

📝 Key info

▶ 4 km / 2 mi | ▲ 160 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr

Features: △ Cnoc Croit na Maoile / Ord Hill (319 m)

⬤ Moderate | Wide forestry track, then steeper, narrow footpath with one short boggy section.

➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – bridge over Jessmore Burn – Cnoc Croit na Maoile – start by outward route or similar. Route signposted

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Forest birds, otherwise quiet.

Weather: Dull and hazy with drizzly showers.

May 2015