Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Conachair
Conachair, in the NA 099 grid square at the heart of Hirta, is the highest point of the St Kilda archipelago at 430m. The summit perches above the highest sea cliffs in Britain, which fall an unbroken 427m to the Atlantic on the north side.
Quick facts
- Height
- 430m/ 1411ft
- Prominence
- 430 m
- Grid ref
- NA 09988 00227
- 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
maritime grassland 50% · rocky summit 30% · cliff edges 20%
From Village Bay where charter boats and day-trip cruises land, take the army road north-east before striking up open hillside to the summit trig. Keep well clear of the appalling cliff edge near the top. Allow 3-4 hours from the bay.
Terrain
Short maritime turf grazed close by Soay sheep covers most of the climb, giving fast walking. The summit plateau is flat grass but the cliff edge to its north is hidden by a slight rise — extreme caution in mist.
In winter
Day boats from Harris stop in October and resume in April, so Conachair is a strictly summer mountain. Even in the season, sea swell often forces cancellation a day in advance.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow12h 17m
- Edinburgh15h 45m
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; completely off-grid. Satellite phone recommended.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:24
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 04:30
- Civil dusk
- 22:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Conachair — common questions
- What difficulty is Conachair?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Conachair comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Short maritime turf grazed close by Soay sheep covers most of the climb, giving fast walking.
- How much drop does Conachair have?
- Conachair's prominence is its full height — 430m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Conachair?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Conachair. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Conachair?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Conachair?
- None. St Kilda; completely off-grid. Satellite phone recommended.
- How do I get the ferry to Conachair?
- 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 Conachair safe in winter?
- Day boats from Harris stop in October and resume in April, so Conachair is a strictly summer mountain. Even in the season, sea swell often forces cancellation a day in advance.
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