What difficulty is Sail Chalmadale?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sail Chalmadale comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: A clear glen path on the lower section gives way to trackless heather and granite boulder fields above.

What is Sail Chalmadale's prominence?

151m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sail Chalmadale to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Sail Chalmadale?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Sail Chalmadale. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Sail Chalmadale dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

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.

By Gary

Photo: Gordon Brown / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Prominence: 151 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NR 91434 40098
Nearest city: Glasgow· 72km
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% · granite rock 35% · grass slopes 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

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.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Sail Chalmadale. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS West Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

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

14h 08mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:51
Sunset: 19:43
Civil dawn: 06:13
Civil dusk: 20:21

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Sail Chalmadale on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ardrossan Harbour station

Ferry to Brodick (Arran) — Goat Fell, Arran ridge

31km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Brodick

Arran base — Goat Fell, Glen Rosa, the Arran ridge

11km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Arran

Lochranza — northern Arran; revived in 1995; rich sherried releases

11km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Sail Chalmadale — common questions

What difficulty is Sail Chalmadale?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sail Chalmadale comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: A clear glen path on the lower section gives way to trackless heather and granite boulder fields above.
What is Sail Chalmadale's prominence?: 151m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sail Chalmadale to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Sail Chalmadale?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Sail Chalmadale. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Sail Chalmadale dog-friendly?: 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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