When is the best time to climb Cnoc Glas?

The standard good-weather months for Cnoc Glas 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 Cnoc Glas?

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 Cnoc Glas?

Private charter from Leverburgh (Harris) or Oban. No regular service — chartered day trips and stays May–Sep only, weather dependent in summer; No access in winter in winter. Book at least 90 days ahead. St Kilda is 64km west of the Outer Hebrides — one of the most remote places in Britain. Access by private charter boat (weather permitting) or NTS-arranged visits. Camping and bothy accommodation available; no day trips possible.

When is the best time to climb Cnoc Glas?

The standard good-weather months for Cnoc Glas 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 Cnoc Glas?

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 Cnoc Glas?

Private charter from Leverburgh (Harris) or Oban. No regular service — chartered day trips and stays May–Sep only, weather dependent in summer; No access in winter in winter. Book at least 90 days ahead. St Kilda is 64km west of the Outer Hebrides — one of the most remote places in Britain. Access by private charter boat (weather permitting) or NTS-arranged visits. Camping and bothy accommodation available; no day trips possible.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Andy Strangeway / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

Cnoc Glas

Cnoc Glas — the 'grey-green knoll' — is the high point of Soay, the western island of the St Kilda archipelago, in the NA 062 grid square. The 379m peak overlooks Hirta from across a narrow sea strait and is home to the primitive Soay sheep that give the island its name.

Gaelic: “small hill, grey-green” · Pronunciation: k-nok glass

Quick facts

Height: 379.5m/ 1245ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NA 06258 01616
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

maritime grassland 65% · rocky ground 25% · boggy hollows 10%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

After being landed by dinghy on the rocky north-east shore from a Hirta-based charter, climb directly up grassy ribs to the broad summit. The whole island traverse takes 2-3 hours plus the often nail-biting boat transfer either side.

Terrain

Heavily-grazed short turf coats most of the slopes, with bare gabbro and dolerite outcrops where the sheep cannot reach. Peaty hollows linger between rock steps even in summer.

In winter

No winter access — the St Kilda charter season runs only April to September and even then Soay landings are heavily weather-dependent. Plan for repeated attempts to secure a calm enough day.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow12h 27m
Edinburgh15h 55m

Ferry access

Private charter from Leverburgh (Harris) or Oban

Crossing time180 min
Summer sailingsNo regular service — chartered day trips and stays May–Sep only, weather dependent
Winter sailingsNo access in winter
Book ahead90 days

St Kilda is 64km west of the Outer Hebrides — one of the most remote places in Britain. Access by private charter boat (weather permitting) or NTS-arranged visits. Camping and bothy accommodation available; no day trips possible.

OS maps: OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 460W

Mobile signal: None. St Kilda archipelago; no mobile infrastructure. Satellite phone only.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

20h 33mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:32
Sunset: 22:38
Civil dawn: 03:19
Civil dusk: 23:52

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Cnoc Glas — common questions

How hard is Cnoc Glas?: Cnoc Glas is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heavily-grazed short turf coats most of the slopes, with bare gabbro and dolerite outcrops where the sheep cannot reach.
When is the best time to climb Cnoc Glas?: The standard good-weather months for Cnoc Glas 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 Cnoc Glas?: 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 Cnoc Glas?: None. St Kilda archipelago; no mobile infrastructure. Satellite phone only.
How do I get the ferry to Cnoc Glas?: Private charter from Leverburgh (Harris) or Oban. No regular service — chartered day trips and stays May–Sep only, weather dependent in summer; No access in winter in winter. Book at least 90 days ahead. St Kilda is 64km west of the Outer Hebrides — one of the most remote places in Britain. Access by private charter boat (weather permitting) or NTS-arranged visits. Camping and bothy accommodation available; no day trips possible.
Is Cnoc Glas safe in winter?: No winter access — the St Kilda charter season runs only April to September and even then Soay landings are heavily weather-dependent. Plan for repeated attempts to secure a calm enough day.

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