Marilyn · Skye & The Small Isles
Arnaval
Arnaval is a 369m Norse-named rise in the Duirinish peninsula of north-west Skye. The summit gives an unusual sideways view of MacLeod's Tables and out across the Little Minch to Harris on clear days.
Quick facts
- Height
- 369m/ 1211ft
- Grid ref
- NG 34535 31659
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%
A short approach from minor roads near Glendale or Roag, crossing open moor to the rounded top. Around 5 km return with steady gradient on grass and heather.
Terrain
Cropped sheep-grazed grass on the upper hill, deep peat hags lower down. The ground can be quaggy after rain.
In winter
Often free of snow and a good poor-weather choice. Wind is the main concern — the Duirinish peninsula is fully exposed to Atlantic gales.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 43m
- Edinburgh9h 2m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32, OS Explorer 410, OS Explorer 411
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote South Uist or Skye; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:28
- Sunset
- 22:24
- Civil dawn
- 03:18
- Civil dusk
- 23:34
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Arnaval on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
42km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
18km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Talisker
Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied
3km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Arnaval — common questions
- How hard is Arnaval?
- Arnaval is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Cropped sheep-grazed grass on the upper hill, deep peat hags lower down.
- When is the best time to climb Arnaval?
- The standard good-weather months for Arnaval are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Arnaval?
- 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 Arnaval?
- Poor. Remote South Uist or Skye; limited coverage.
- Is Arnaval safe in winter?
- Often free of snow and a good poor-weather choice. Wind is the main concern — the Duirinish peninsula is fully exposed to Atlantic gales.
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