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
- Prominence
- 193 m
- Grid ref
- NG 34535 31659
- 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
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
- 05:18
- Sunset
- 21:46
- Civil dawn
- 04:26
- Civil dusk
- 22:39
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 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?
- We grade Arnaval at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Cropped sheep-grazed grass on the upper hill, deep peat hags lower down.
- How much drop does Arnaval have?
- The drop is 193m: measured from the summit of Arnaval 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 Arnaval?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Arnaval. 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 Arnaval?
- 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 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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