Goatfell (an English corruption of the Gaell. gaothceann,'windy head'), a mountain of Kilbride parish, in the E of Arran, Buteshire. Extending 4½ miles northward from Boric Park to Glensannox, and 3 westward from the coast to Glenrosie, it attains an altitude of 2866 feet at a point 3 ¼ miles NNW of Brodick church; forms a grand feature in the scenery of the Firth of Clyde; and contains many striking close scenes among its own glens and ravines. Its summit commands an almost unrivalled view-north-westward to the Paps of Jural northward to Ben Cruachan: north-eastward to Ben Lomond ; eastward to Ayrshire; southward to Ailsa Craig and the coast of Ireland; and westward to the neighbouring jagged ridges of Caisteal Abhail (2735 feet), Cir Mhor (2618), and Ben Tarsuinn (2706). Its S end is bold and rugged, yet can be readily scaled by one or other of two paths from Boric; its E side, flanking a narrow belt of sea-board, rises thence with abrupt and rugged stannous, and presents an imposing aspect to the Firth; its N end and its W side ascend in mural cliffs and tremendous acclivities from engirdling glens; its shoulders converge in three lines, from S, E, and W, into a heaving plateau; and both its highest summit and another one 694 feet lower, have the form of conical peaks.—Ord. Sur., sh. 21, 1870.
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