Skip to content
Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor)
Photo: Colin Park / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph
Submit a photo

Graham · Outer Hebrides

Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor)

A craggy gneiss Graham at the south end of the Harris hills, looking across Loch Langavat to Clisham. The hill's name means hill of the water valley — apt for a peak surrounded by lochans and burns.

Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: uisgneabhal more (uisgnaval mor)

Quick facts

Height
730.1m/ 2395ft
Distance
13 km
Ascent
599 m
Time
46 hrs
Difficulty
4 / 5Serious
Grid ref
NB120085
Parking
NB133089
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

island track 20% · rough gneiss 40% · rocky ridge 30% · summit area 10%

13km · 599m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Park near Bunavoneader on the A859. Follow the old whaling station track east into Glen Ulladale, then climb the south-west spur directly. The upper ridge winds round small lochans onto the summit cairn.

Terrain

Stripped Lewisian gneiss slabs, peat hags and tussocky grass — classic Hebridean walking surface. The summit area is intricate and there are several knolls before the true top.

In winter

Snow rarely sticks at Hebridean altitudes but ice on the gneiss slabs is treacherous. The hills here catch the full force of North Atlantic gales — wind, not snow, is the season's main hazard.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

  • Glasgow5h 27m
  • Edinburgh6h 5m
Parking: NB133089

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: Reception on the A859; gone immediately on the hill

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 50mwalking daylight
Sunrise
04:36
Sunset
22:14
Civil dawn
03:30
Civil dusk
23:20

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

Got a photo of Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval 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 →

Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor) — common questions

How hard is Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor)?
Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 599m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Stripped Lewisian gneiss slabs, peat hags and tussocky grass — classic Hebridean walking surface.
Where do I park for Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor)?
Standard parking is at NB133089 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 Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor)?
The standard good-weather months for Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval 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 Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval 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 Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor)?
Reception on the A859; gone immediately on the hill
How do I get the ferry to Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval 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 Uisgneabhal Mor (Uisgnaval Mor) safe in winter?
Snow rarely sticks at Hebridean altitudes but ice on the gneiss slabs is treacherous. The hills here catch the full force of North Atlantic gales — wind, not snow, is the season's main hazard.