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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]
Carn Ghaltair is the highest point of Sandray, the uninhabited island immediately south of Vatersay at the tail of the Barra chain. The 207m top rises from dune-backed sands on the east side over rough gneiss and heather, with the Bishop's Isles strung out to the south.
Quick facts
- Height
- 207m/ 679ft
- Prominence
- 207 m
- Grid ref
- NL 64037 91530
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
Lewisian gneiss 45% · heather moorland 35% · rocky summit 20%
There is no scheduled service to Sandray — access is by private boat arrangement from Castlebay or Vatersay, landing on the east-side sands in settled weather. From the beach it is a short, rough climb west over heather and gneiss steps to the summit. Around an hour up and down once ashore.
Terrain
Knobbly Lewisian gneiss outcrops separated by heathery bog. The going is rough rather than steep, and waterproof boots are essential after rain.
In winter
Effectively a summer-only hill: the boat arrangement that gets you to Sandray needs settled sea conditions, which the storm-driven Hebridean winter rarely offers.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 52m
- Edinburgh11h 28m
OS maps: OS Landranger 31, OS Explorer 452S
Mobile signal: Poor to none. Uninhabited island south of Vatersay; expect nothing.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:25
- Sunset
- 21:48
- Civil dawn
- 04:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar] — common questions
- Is Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar] a hard climb?
- Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar] is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Knobbly Lewisian gneiss outcrops separated by heathery bog.
- What is Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]'s prominence?
- Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]'s prominence is its full height — 207m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]?
- May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar] dog-friendly?
- 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 Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]?
- Poor to none. Uninhabited island south of Vatersay; expect nothing.
- Is Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar] safe in winter?
- Effectively a summer-only hill: the boat arrangement that gets you to Sandray needs settled sea conditions, which the storm-driven Hebridean winter rarely offers.
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