Keelylang Hill

Rising above the surrounding peat moorland, this 221-metre Marilyn is defined by its massive telecommunications mast and sprawling heather slopes. While the ascent is straightforward via the service track, the terrain is often heavy going. It offers a commanding vantage point, serving as a primary navigation marker for the area.

• •The name is rooted in Old Norse, likely combining 'kollr' (a rounded summit) with 'lang', describing the elongated, whale-backed shape of the hill’s main ridge.
• •The summit is home to a significant telecommunications mast; standing at over 230 metres tall, the structure itself is actually taller than the hill it sits upon.
• •On a clear day, the summit provides an exceptional perspective over the waters of Scapa Flow towards the high, dark sandstone cliffs of the island of Hoy.
• •The ascent is most easily achieved using the service road, which provides a dry route through the otherwise notoriously thick and boggy heather that blankets the slopes.
• •While many climbers seek a sense of 'getting away from it all', the constant electrical hum from the transmitter building ensures you never feel entirely abandoned by civilization.