Scotland
Cruach nan Capull
612M
2008FT
About Cruach nan Capull
Rising above the western shores of Loch Striven, this broad, grassy Graham is the highest point of the Cowal Peninsula. Though the terrain is often pathless and soft underfoot, the sprawling summit offers an exceptional perspective over the Firth of Clyde towards the jagged northern peaks of Arran.
Key Statistics
Rank
32nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Arran
Prominence
?
486m
Nearest Town
Data coming soon
Geology
You are walking on the Beinn Bheula Schist. This foundation is made of psammite, a tough rock formed from ancient sands squeezed and hardened deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NS095795
Latitude
55.9711°N
Longitude
5.0529°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Cruach nan Capull, which translates to 'Hill of the Horses.' In this context, Cruach refers to a bold, stack-like hill, while capull suggests that these high slopes were historically used as seasonal grazing for Highland ponies.
- •As the highest point of the Cowal Peninsula, the summit offers a commanding view of the Kyles of Bute and the long, fjord-like reach of Loch Striven. To the south, the entire northern massif of the Isle of Arran is visible, including the distinctive silhouette of Goatfell.
- •The ascent from Glen Lean involves navigating a mix of dense forestry and open moorland. It is a quintessential Graham, lacking a formal path and requiring the kind of 'tussock-hopping' endurance that characterizes the quieter corners of the Cowal hills.
- •Because it has a descent of at least 150 metres on all sides, it is classified as a Marilyn. This prominence makes it a significant landmark for those sailing the waters of the Clyde, appearing as a sturdy, rounded sentinel above the Argyll coast.
- •The hill is locally noted for its extensive peat bogs, which frequently demonstrate that the shortest distance between two points on a map is rarely the driest route.