Ainshval

About Ainshval

Standing as the second highest peak in the Rùm Cuillin, this Corbett offers a rugged, volcanic character. Its steep, scree-covered slopes and tiered rocky ridges demand physical effort, rewarding walkers with a wild sense of isolation and a dramatic perspective over the islands of the Inner Hebrides.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a relic of Old Norse occupation, likely derived from áss-fjall, meaning 'Hill of the Joists'. This refers to the mountain’s distinctive geological 'steps' or horizontal terraces of rock that look like structural beams when viewed from a distance.
• •It is a site of international geological importance due to its layered igneous rocks, specifically peridotite and allivalite. These distinct bands were formed within a magma chamber 60 million years ago, creating a natural ladder effect that is rare in the British Isles.
• •The surrounding slopes are home to one of the world's largest colonies of Manx Shearwaters. These seabirds nest in high-altitude burrows, and on summer nights, the mountain air is filled with their strange, haunting calls as they return from the sea to avoid predators.
• •From the 781-metre summit, the view reaches across the Sound of Mull to the lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point of the British mainland. To the north, the jagged silhouette of the Skye Cuillin dominates the horizon across the water.
• •The descent towards Trollabhal features scree so loose and deep that you may find yourself reaching the bottom significantly faster than your knees or your dignity had originally planned.