Askival

About Askival

Dominating the skyline of Rùm, this sharp Corbett is the highest peak of the island’s dramatic Cuillin ridge. Its rocky, tiered slopes of dark allivalite provide a rugged ascent, leading to a summit with staggering views across the Small Isles toward the jagged peaks of the Skye Cuillin.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a relic of Norse occupation, derived from the Old Norse Aski-fjall. While 'fjall' means mountain, 'Aski' likely refers to a personal name or the ash tree, reflecting the deep Viking influence on the Inner Hebrides.
• •The mountain is home to a globally significant colony of Manx shearwaters. These seafaring birds nest in burrows as high as 700 metres up the slopes, returning only after dark to fill the summit air with a cacophony of strange, haunting cries.
• •Askival is a site of international geological importance due to its 'igneous layering'. The mountain consists of alternating bands of allivalite and peridotite, creating a natural stepped appearance that provides a distinctive, grippy 'staircase' for scramblers.
• •The summit offers an exceptional perspective of the Small Isles; the pitch-black pitchstone ridge of the Sgùrr of Eigg is visible to the south-east, while the Sound of Rùm separates the peak from the massive silhouette of the Skye Cuillin to the north.
• •While the Rùm Cuillin is shorter than its namesake on Skye, the logistical challenge of the ferry crossing ensures you are far more likely to share the summit with a wild goat than a crowd of hikers.