Scotland
Bloodstone Hill
388M
1273FT
About Bloodstone Hill
Guarding the wild western edge of Rùm, this hill is famous for its dramatic coastal cliffs and unique mineralogy. The climb through rugged, trackless terrain is rewarded with an isolated summit that feels far removed from the modern world, looking out across the Atlantic toward the Outer Hebrides.
Key Statistics
Rank
214th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
116m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking on ancient layers of hardened lava flows, silt, and gravelly sandstones. These volcanic and river-formed rocks create the sturdy foundation of the hill.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG314006
Latitude
57.0186°N
Longitude
6.4263°W
Did You Know?
- •The hill takes its name from the deposits of bloodstone (heliotrope) found here, a dark green jasper flecked with red iron oxide that formed in volcanic gas cavities millions of years ago.
- •In the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, this was a site of significant 'industrial' importance; the bloodstone was quarried and traded across the West of Scotland to be fashioned into sharp-edged tools.
- •From the summit, walkers are treated to an exceptional perspective of the Isle of Canna and Sanday to the west, while the jagged silhouettes of the Rùm Cuillin, including Askival, dominate the inland view.
- •The descent to the north-west leads to Guirdil Bay, where a basic mountain bothy provides shelter beneath the hill's towering basalt cliffs.
- •While the name suggests a site of ancient carnage, the only thing likely to bleed here is your shins as you navigate the dense, heather-hidden boulders on the lower slopes.