How hard is Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 558m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Wet peat and lochans on the walk-in, then bare Lewisian gneiss slabs that grip well when dry but turn lethal in rain.

Where do I park for Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Standard parking is at NB104110 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

The standard good-weather months for Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How do I get the ferry to Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.

How hard is Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 558m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Wet peat and lochans on the walk-in, then bare Lewisian gneiss slabs that grip well when dry but turn lethal in rain.

Where do I park for Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Standard parking is at NB104110 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

The standard good-weather months for Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How do I get the ferry to Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Chris Wimbush / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Graham · Outer Hebrides

Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)

Tiorga Mor (680m) is the highest summit in the western half of Harris, a rugged Lewisian gneiss tower in NB05 standing above Loch Leosaid and the Forest of Harris. Its 589m of prominence makes it the most independent peak on the Outer Hebrides outside the Clisham group, and the trig commands a panorama from the Flannan Isles out across the Atlantic to St Kilda on the rarest clear days.

Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: tiorga more (tirga mor)

Quick facts

Height: 680m/ 2231ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 558 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NB055115
Parking: NB104110
Nearest: Ullapool
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 35% · rocky summit 10%

13km · 558m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Park at the head of Loch Leosaid off the B887 west of Amhuinnsuidhe Castle. A path through the trees leads to a deer fence; beyond it, peat and boulder lead north onto the south-east ridge. Gain the broad shoulder at 450m, then follow a line of cairns over slabs and short grass to the trig perched above the great north corrie.

Terrain

Wet peat and lochans on the walk-in, then bare Lewisian gneiss slabs that grip well when dry but turn lethal in rain. The upper ridge is a jumble of perched boulders and short rock steps with line-of-sight only between cairns. No path of any kind above 500m.

In winter

Snow rarely lingers on the gneiss but the Atlantic wind chill on this exposed Harris summit is the real concern — gusts of 70mph are routine through January. Verglas on slab is the technical hazard; navigation in horizontal sleet is the bigger one. SAIS does not cover the Outer Hebrides.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow6h 34m
Edinburgh6h 13m

Parking: NB104110

Ferry access

Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris)

Crossing time105 min
Summer sailings2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailings1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead14 days
Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — last sailing to Uig varies seasonally

Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.

Book on CalMac ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 13, OS Landranger 14

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Lewis location; very limited coverage even near the coast.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:37
Sunset: 22:15
Civil dawn: 03:30
Civil dusk: 23:21

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

Got a photo of Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Tarbert (Harris)

Harris base — Clisham, Luskentyre, Hebridean Way

15km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Isle of Harris

Tarbert (Harris) — new island distillery; also known for the Harris Gin

15km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) — common questions

How hard is Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?: Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 558m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Wet peat and lochans on the walk-in, then bare Lewisian gneiss slabs that grip well when dry but turn lethal in rain.
Where do I park for Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?: Standard parking is at NB104110 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?: The standard good-weather months for Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
Can I bring my dog up Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?: Poor. Remote Lewis location; very limited coverage even near the coast.
How do I get the ferry to Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor)?: Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.
Is Tiorga Mor (Tirga Mor) safe in winter?: Snow rarely lingers on the gneiss but the Atlantic wind chill on this exposed Harris summit is the real concern — gusts of 70mph are routine through January. Verglas on slab is the technical hazard; navigation in horizontal sleet is the bigger one. SAIS does not cover the Outer Hebrides.