Goat Fell

Infobox Mountain
Name = Goat Fell/Gaoda Bheinn
Photo = Sunset_on_goatfell.jpg
Caption = Sunset over Goat Fell, seen from Brodick harbour
Elevation = 874 m (2,867 ft)
Location = Isle of Arran, SCO
Prominence = 874 m Ranked 16th in British Isles

Parent peak = "none" - HP Arran
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Explorer" 361; "Landrangers" 62, 69
Grid_ref_UK = NR991415
Listing = Corbett, Marilyn, council top (North Ayrshire), county top (Bute)

Goat Fell (marked as Goatfell by the Ordnance Survey; Scottish Gaelic: Gaoda Bheinn) is the highest point on the Isle of Arran. At 874 metres (2,867 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").

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 Cladach. 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 route comes up from the village of Corrie. 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 cite news |url=http://heritage.scotsman.com/diagrams.cfm?cid=6&id=2055532005 |title=Mountain-top death: Did he slip or was he pushed? |author=Craig Howie |publisher=The Scotsman |date=2005-10-10] .

References

External links

*
* Computer-generated virtual panoramas [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/ISL/Arran-Goatfell-N.gifNorth] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/ISL/Arran-Goatfell-S.gifSouth] [http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas.html Index]