Cnoc an Ime

Rising above the Rinns of Islay, this rounded moorland summit is the highest point on the island's western peninsula. Though modest in height, its status as a Marilyn ensures a sense of isolation. Expect typical Hebridean terrain: a mix of thick heather and damp moss that rewards persistence with wide Atlantic horizons.

• •The name Cnoc an Ime translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Hill of the Butter', a common descriptive term for hills where the grazing was rich enough to produce high-quality dairy at summer shielings.
• •As the high point of the Rinns, the summit offers an unobstructed view across Loch Indaal toward the three distinct Paps of Jura and the rugged coastline of the Mull of Oa to the south.
• •To qualify as a Marilyn at just 303 metres, a hill must have a drop of 150 metres on all sides; Cnoc an Ime achieves this by being the sole significant height on its side of the island.
• •On a particularly damp Hebridean afternoon, the 'Hill of the Butter' can feel aptly named, as the saturated peat and wet grass become roughly as slippery as a greased pan.