Marilyn · Arran
Sail Chalmadale
Heel of Chalmadale, a 480m granite spur on the wild north-western flank of Arran. The hill rises directly above Glen Catacol with an outlook across Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre — a surprisingly remote feeling for an island summit.
Quick facts
- Height
- 479.7m/ 1574ft
- Grid ref
- NR 91434 40098
- Nearest city
- Glasgow· 72km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 50% · granite rock 35% · grass slopes 15%
From Catacol on the Lochranza-Pirnmill coast road, take the path up Glen Catacol then leave it to climb the broad south-west ridge. Around 10km return and 550m of ascent; four hours is enough at a steady pace.
Terrain
A clear glen path on the lower section gives way to trackless heather and granite boulder fields above. The summit ridge is rocky underfoot — turn an ankle and it is a long way home.
In winter
Snow drifts deep against the eastern crags from January and the upper slopes can hold ice for weeks. North-westerly winds funnel up Glen Catacol with surprising venom.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 49m
- Edinburgh6h 34m
Ferry access
Ardrossan → Brodick
- Crossing time55 min
- Summer sailingsUp to 6 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings3–4 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead7 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — last departure varies seasonally
Foot passengers welcome without booking. Book vehicle space well in advance in summer. A seasonal alternative runs Claonaig → Lochranza (30 min) in summer.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 62, OS Landranger 69, OS Explorer 361N
Mobile signal: Poor. Arran interior; EE intermittent at best on this summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:37
- Sunset
- 22:07
- Civil dawn
- 03:37
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Sail Chalmadale on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Ardrossan Harbour station
Ferry to Brodick (Arran) — Goat Fell, Arran ridge
31km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Brodick
Arran base — Goat Fell, Glen Rosa, the Arran ridge
11km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Arran
Lochranza — northern Arran; revived in 1995; rich sherried releases
11km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sail Chalmadale — common questions
- How hard is Sail Chalmadale?
- Sail Chalmadale is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A clear glen path on the lower section gives way to trackless heather and granite boulder fields above.
- When is the best time to climb Sail Chalmadale?
- The standard good-weather months for Sail Chalmadale 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 Sail Chalmadale?
- 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 Sail Chalmadale?
- Poor. Arran interior; EE intermittent at best on this summit.
- How do I get the ferry to Sail Chalmadale?
- Ardrossan → Brodick. Up to 6 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 3–4 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers welcome without booking. Book vehicle space well in advance in summer. A seasonal alternative runs Claonaig → Lochranza (30 min) in summer.
- Is Sail Chalmadale safe in winter?
- Snow drifts deep against the eastern crags from January and the upper slopes can hold ice for weeks. North-westerly winds funnel up Glen Catacol with surprising venom.
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