Scotland
Orval
571M
1873FT
About Orval
Dominating the Duirinish peninsula, this broad Marilyn is the highest point in Skye’s far west. Though often overlooked in favour of the nearby Macleod’s Tables, it offers a lonely, atmospheric ascent. The summit serves as a premier lookout over the Little Minch toward North Uist and the jagged silhouettes of the Cuillin.
Key Statistics
Rank
107th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
406m
Nearest Town
Kinloch
Geology
Orval’s foundation is a mix of cooled lava flows and fine-grained granite. These rocks formed from molten material that cooled both at the surface and deep underground.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NM333991
Latitude
57.0059°N
Longitude
6.3931°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Old Norse Orra-fjall, meaning 'Black Grouse Hill', reflecting the strong Viking influence that shaped the nomenclature of the Isle of Skye's coastline.
- •Although the nearby flat-topped 'Macleod’s Tables' are more famous, Orval is actually the highest point on the Duirinish peninsula, standing nearly 100 metres taller than Healabhal Mhòr.
- •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for sea-watching; on a clear day, the entire 'Long Island' of the Outer Hebrides is visible across the water, stretching from Harris down to North Uist.
- •Navigating the featureless Duirinish moorland in low cloud is a fine way to test your relationship with a compass, as there are very few physical landmarks to suggest you have wandered off course.