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.

By Gary

Photo: Rob Farrow / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
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%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

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.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Carn Ghaltair [Cairn Galtar]. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

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

14h 12mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:58
Sunset: 19:53
Civil dawn: 06:20
Civil dusk: 20:32

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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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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