Goat Fell
Encyclopedia
Goat Fell is the highest point on the Isle of Arran
. At 874 metres (2,866 ft), it is one of four Corbetts on the island. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle
, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland
.
The name is believed to mean either 'Mountain of Wind' (from the Gaelic
gaoth) or 'Goat Mountain' (from the Norse geita).
. Initially the path leads up through the forested grounds of the castle, passing many rhododendron
bushes. Above 300 m above sea level the path leaves the forestry, and the route continues through bare moorland
, reaching the summit by way of the east ridge of the mountain. There is a viewpoint table at the summit: on a clear day Ireland
may be seen.
An alternative shorter and steeper route comes up from the village of Corrie
. This route joins the main path on the east ridge. Goat Fell may also be climbed from the north, where it is linked by a ridge to the subsidiary top of North Goatfell, a point from which three ridges radiate. In addition to the ridge leading south to the main summit, there is a ridge heading northeast, providing some very easy scrambling
as it passes over Cìoch na h-Òighe (the Young Maiden's Breast
). Finally, the western ridge drops down to a bealach known as The Saddle, before climbing again towards the summit of Cìr Mhòr
. The right-of-way
between Glen Rosa
and Glen Sannox passes over The Saddle.
It is also the historical scene of a murder that caused national controversy in July 1889 when John Laurie was convicted of killing Edwin Rose.
Isle of Arran
Arran or the Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and with an area of is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire and the 2001 census had a resident population of 5,058...
. At 874 metres (2,866 ft), it is one of four Corbetts on the island. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle is a castle situated outside the port of Brodick on the Isle of Arran, an island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It was previously a seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, but is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.-Early and High Mediæval:...
, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
.
The name is believed to mean either 'Mountain of Wind' (from the Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
gaoth) or 'Goat Mountain' (from the Norse geita).
Ascent
Due to the popularity of "Scotland in miniature" (Arran), Goat Fell is a very popular peak and there are many possible routes of ascent, some of which may be combined with visits to the summits of other nearby peaks. The most commonly used route, a constructed path of just under 5 km in length, starts from near Brodick Castle in CladachCladach
Note: Cladach is a general Scottish Gaelic word for "beach" or "shore" and occurs in many Scottish placenamesCladach is a tiny settlement on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. In the vicinity of the island's main village, Brodick, Cladach is the site of the Cladach Sawmill and in more recent times, the...
. Initially the path leads up through the forested grounds of the castle, passing many rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
bushes. Above 300 m above sea level the path leaves the forestry, and the route continues through bare moorland
Moorland
Moorland or moor is a type of habitat, in the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome, found in upland areas, characterised by low-growing vegetation on acidic soils and heavy fog...
, reaching the summit by way of the east ridge of the mountain. There is a viewpoint table at the summit: on a clear day Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
may be seen.
An alternative shorter and steeper route comes up from the village of Corrie
Corrie, Arran
Corrie is a village on the north east coast of the Isle of Arran in Scotland, north of Brodick. It lies due east under the island's highest mountain, Goat Fell. A path from High Corrie mile to the south, provides access to the hillside...
. This route joins the main path on the east ridge. Goat Fell may also be climbed from the north, where it is linked by a ridge to the subsidiary top of North Goatfell, a point from which three ridges radiate. In addition to the ridge leading south to the main summit, there is a ridge heading northeast, providing some very easy scrambling
Scrambling
Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hillwalking and rock climbing. It is often distinguished from hillwalking by defining a scramble as a route where hands must be used in the ascent...
as it passes over Cìoch na h-Òighe (the Young Maiden's Breast
Breast
The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...
). Finally, the western ridge drops down to a bealach known as The Saddle, before climbing again towards the summit of Cìr Mhòr
Cìr Mhòr
Cìr Mhòr is a Corbett known as the Matterhorn of Arran. Its name means the "big comb", referring its resemblance to a cockscomb. It is separated from the island's highest peak, Goat Fell by a col called The Saddle...
. The right-of-way
Rights of way in Scotland
In Scotland a right of way is defined as any defined route over which the public has been able to pass unhindered for at least 20 years. The route must link two "public places", such as villages, churches or roads. Unlike in England and Wales there is no obligation on Scottish local authorities to...
between Glen Rosa
Glen Rosa
Glen Rosa is a valley on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, western Scotland. It can be reached from the road just outside Brodick, the primary town on Arran. The trek up the glen is fairly flat, gaining less than 200m in altitude...
and Glen Sannox passes over The Saddle.
It is also the historical scene of a murder that caused national controversy in July 1889 when John Laurie was convicted of killing Edwin Rose.
