The Slate

Rising above the northern village of Lochranza, this heathery Marilyn provides a peerless vantage point for studying Arran’s jagged skyline. Lacking the precipitous granite of its southern neighbours, it offers a softer ascent with grandstand views across the Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre and deep into the dramatic trench of Gleann Easan Biorach.

• •The name is a direct translation of the Scottish Gaelic An Sgliat, referring to the Dalradian slate and schist that forms the northern tip of the island. This metamorphic rock stands in sharp contrast to the younger, more famous granite found in the island's interior.
• •The summit offers one of the best perspectives of the 'Sleeping Warrior'—the famous mountain profile formed by the ridges of Ceum na Caillich and Caisteal Abhail—visible across the deep glen to the south.
• •The hill is frequently climbed as part of a horseshoe ridge walk alongside its neighbour, Meall nan Damh, a route that offers a quieter alternative to the often-crowded paths of central Arran.
• •Given its modest height, it is the sort of hill that allows you to feel like a mountaineer while still being back in Lochranza in time for a distillery tour.