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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Ceartabhal [Ceartaval]
Ceartabhal stands in the wild empty quarter of west Harris, a quiet 557m peak among the chain of hills behind Husinish. The summit looks out to St Kilda on clear days and over the bays of Scarp to the Atlantic.
Quick facts
- Height
- 556.9m/ 1827ft
- Grid ref
- NB 04262 12674
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
blanket bog 55% · Lewisian gneiss 30% · rocky summit 15%
Park at Husinish and walk south along the coastal path before turning inland up the long western shoulder. A serious six-hour round on rough trackless ground; navigation skill essential.
Terrain
Wet bog and lochans on approach, with knolly gneiss and slabby outcrops above. The summit dome is bare rock with patches of moss campion.
In winter
Holds occasional snow above 400m and the seaward face catches the worst of the gales. Short daylight and lack of bothies or shelters demand careful timing.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 2m
- Edinburgh11h 13m
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 Explorer 456
Mobile signal: Poor. No coverage on summit or approach; complete dead zone in one of the most remote corners of Harris.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:24
- Sunset
- 22:33
- Civil dawn
- 03:09
- Civil dusk
- 23:48
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Ceartabhal [Ceartaval] on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ceartabhal [Ceartaval] — common questions
- How hard is Ceartabhal [Ceartaval]?
- Ceartabhal [Ceartaval] is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Wet bog and lochans on approach, with knolly gneiss and slabby outcrops above.
- When is the best time to climb Ceartabhal [Ceartaval]?
- The standard good-weather months for Ceartabhal [Ceartaval] are 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 Ceartabhal [Ceartaval]?
- 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 Ceartabhal [Ceartaval]?
- Poor. No coverage on summit or approach; complete dead zone in one of the most remote corners of Harris.
- How do I get the ferry to Ceartabhal [Ceartaval]?
- 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 Ceartabhal [Ceartaval] safe in winter?
- Holds occasional snow above 400m and the seaward face catches the worst of the gales. Short daylight and lack of bothies or shelters demand careful timing.
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