Scotland
Hill of Arisdale
210M
689FT
About Hill of Arisdale
Rising from the expansive peat moors of Yell, this modest summit is the island’s highest point. It offers a grounded walking experience where the challenge lies in navigating undulating, boggy terrain rather than steep gradients. From the summit trig pillar, views stretch across the Sound of Yell towards the island of Fetlar.
Key Statistics
Rank
31st Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Outer Hebrides
Prominence
?
210m
Nearest Town
Otterswick
Geology
You are walking over the Yell Sound Group, a foundation of exceptionally hard rock called quartzite. This durable stone forms the sturdy, rugged backbone of the hill.
Nearby Fells
Evra Houll
South Ward of Reafirth
Kame of Sandwick
Bolla Hill
Ness of Sound
Find It
OS Grid Reference
HU494841
Latitude
60.5381°N
Longitude
1.1005°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is rooted in Old Norse, with the suffix dalr meaning valley. Typical of many peaks in the Northern Isles, the hill is named after the adjacent valley and settlement of Arisdale rather than possessing a unique name of its own.
- •Reaching the summit trig pillar marks the highest point on the island of Yell. From here, the view includes the 'Garden of Shetland' (the island of Fetlar) to the east and the distinctive coastline of Unst, the UK's most northerly inhabited island, to the north.
- •The ascent is defined by its 'peat hags'—deep, eroded channels in the moorland. These features require a zig-zagging route to cross, often turning a short direct walk into a more involved navigational exercise through the island's interior.