How hard is An Coileach?

An Coileach is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heather, bog hollow and bare gneiss in equal measure.

When is the best time to climb An Coileach?

The standard good-weather months for An Coileach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 An Coileach?

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 An Coileach?

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 An Coileach?

An Coileach is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heather, bog hollow and bare gneiss in equal measure.

When is the best time to climb An Coileach?

The standard good-weather months for An Coileach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 An Coileach?

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 An Coileach?

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: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

An Coileach

An Coileach, the cock, is a craggy 389m hill in the rough country of south-east Harris between Lingerabay and Loch Langabhat. Its rocky pyramidal form rises above the road and overlooks the Minch toward Skye.

Quick facts

Height: 389m/ 1276ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 08626 92784
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

blanket bog 50% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · rocky summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A short pathless route climbs from the A859 near Lingerabay up the south-west flank, weaving between gneiss outcrops to the summit. Roughly three hours return with persistent rough ground.

Terrain

Heather, bog hollow and bare gneiss in equal measure. The final pull is over slabby rock with several easy steps to the top.

In winter

Little snow but the slabs ice up readily and the unforgiving Atlantic wind hits this exposed hill hard. Good navigation needed in cloud.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow9h 34m
Edinburgh11h 47m

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 14, OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 455

Mobile signal: Very poor. No mobile signal; carry a PLB on this remote North Uist hill.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

20h 33mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:25
Sunset: 22:31
Civil dawn: 03:12
Civil dusk: 23:45

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around An Coileach 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

10km 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

10km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

An Coileach — common questions

How hard is An Coileach?: An Coileach is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heather, bog hollow and bare gneiss in equal measure.
When is the best time to climb An Coileach?: The standard good-weather months for An Coileach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 An Coileach?: 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 An Coileach?: Very poor. No mobile signal; carry a PLB on this remote North Uist hill.
How do I get the ferry to An Coileach?: 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 An Coileach safe in winter?: Little snow but the slabs ice up readily and the unforgiving Atlantic wind hits this exposed hill hard. Good navigation needed in cloud.

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