Scotland
Auchtertyre Hill
453M
1485FT
About Auchtertyre Hill
Rising steeply above its namesake village, this rugged Marilyn offers a vantage point far superior to its modest height. The ascent through rough grazing and heather leads to a summit overlooking the Skye Bridge and the mouth of Loch Alsh, with the dramatic peaks of Kintail framing the eastern horizon.
Key Statistics
Rank
257th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
245m
Nearest Town
Auchtertyre
Geology
You are trekking over the Lewisian Complex, made of a tough, banded rock. These layers were once molten material, reshaped by intense heat and pressure deep underground.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG832289
Latitude
57.2995°N
Longitude
5.5994°W
Did You Know?
- •The name originates from the Scottish Gaelic Uachdar Thìre, meaning 'Upper Land' or 'Top of the Land', a fitting description for the high ground overlooking the coastal settlement below.
- •Its position makes it an exceptional viewpoint for maritime landmarks; climbers can clearly see the Skye Bridge spanning the Kyle Akin, with the distinctive Red and Black Cuillin peaks visible on the island beyond.
- •To the east, the summit provides a clear line of sight to the Five Sisters of Kintail and the peaks of Glenshiel, offering a sense of scale for the much larger mountains of the interior.
- •Despite standing at a relatively humble 452 metres, its classification as a Marilyn indicates it has at least 150 metres of prominence, standing in relative isolation from the neighbouring high massifs.
- •It is perhaps the only place in the Highlands where you can look down on a primary school and the Cuillin ridge in a single turn of the head, though the children are significantly quieter from this distance.