Knock Hill

Rising sharply behind Largs, this prominent Hump is a familiar landmark for those sailing the Firth of Clyde. Its volcanic character is evident in its steep, conical profile. The short but stiff ascent is rewarded with expansive views across the Cumbrae Isles, Bute, and the jagged skyline of the Arran hills.

• •The name is derived from the Gaelic cnoc, meaning a small, rounded hill—a fittingly literal description for this distinctive, symmetrical mound.
• •The summit offers a spectacular vantage point over the Firth of Clyde; looking west, the peaks of Goatfell on Arran dominate the horizon behind the Great and Little Cumbrae.
• •The hill is historically significant to the local area as a navigational marker for mariners, serving as a backdrop to the site of the Battle of Largs in 1263.
• •Despite its modest elevation, the climb often feels more substantial than its 364 metres suggest, primarily because most walkers begin their ascent from near sea level in the town below.