Scotland
Cnoc an Ime
303M
994FT
About 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.
Key Statistics
Rank
90th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Southern Hebrides
Prominence
?
189m
Nearest Town
Lagg
Geology
You are walking across the Jura Quartzite Formation. This tough, crystalline rock provides the solid geological foundation for the landscape around you.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NR590801
Latitude
55.9539°N
Longitude
5.8614°W
Did You Know?
- •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.