Scotland
Keelylang Hill
221M
725FT
About 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.
Key Statistics
Rank
16th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Southern Hebrides
Prominence
?
161m
Nearest Town
Cursiter
Geology
The ground beneath your feet consists of layers of hardened mud, silt, and sand. These rocks form the Upper Stromness flagstones that build this hill.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
HY378102
Latitude
58.9750°N
Longitude
3.0835°W
Did You Know?
- •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.