Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Beinn Mholach
Beinn Mholach — the Shaggy Hill — is a 292m heather and bog summit marooned in the great central moor of Lewis between Stornoway and the north coast. It is the high point of one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Europe.
Quick facts
- Height
- 292m/ 958ft
- Grid ref
- NB 35563 38707
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
blanket bog 50% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · rocky summit 15%
A pathless 10-14km round from the A858 at Achmore or from minor roads near North Tolsta, often 5-7 hours depending on conditions. Bring waterproof footwear and a compass for the featureless moor.
Terrain
Vast peat bog, peat hags up to two metres deep, and gneiss outcrops scattered across the plateau. The summit itself is a low rocky knoll. Almost no shelter anywhere on route.
In winter
Saturated peat freezes hard in a real cold snap, briefly making the bog walking easier, but more often the ground is simply wet. Wind exposure across the open moor is severe.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 31m
- Edinburgh10h 28m
Ferry access
Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis)
- Crossing time165 min
- Summer sailings2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable
Allow 1–2 hours drive from Stornoway to reach the Harris hills. For South Harris hills, Uig → Tarbert may be more convenient.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 8, OS Explorer 459W
Mobile signal: Poor. No networks reach this summit; download maps in Stornoway before leaving.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:20
- Sunset
- 22:33
- Civil dawn
- 03:02
- Civil dusk
- 23:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Beinn Mholach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Mholach — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Mholach?
- Beinn Mholach is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Vast peat bog, peat hags up to two metres deep, and gneiss outcrops scattered across the plateau.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Mholach?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Mholach are April, 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 Beinn Mholach?
- 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 Beinn Mholach?
- Poor. No networks reach this summit; download maps in Stornoway before leaving.
- How do I get the ferry to Beinn Mholach?
- Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Allow 1–2 hours drive from Stornoway to reach the Harris hills. For South Harris hills, Uig → Tarbert may be more convenient.
- Is Beinn Mholach safe in winter?
- Saturated peat freezes hard in a real cold snap, briefly making the bog walking easier, but more often the ground is simply wet. Wind exposure across the open moor is severe.
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