Marilyn · skye
Healabhal Mhor
Healabhal Mhor is the larger and northern of the MacLeod's Tables, separated from Healabhal Bheag by a wide grassy bealach. The NG 21 44 grid puts it in the Duirinish peninsula of west Skye, where legend records that an unimpressed Chief MacLeod once banqueted the King of Scotland in the open air on the perfectly flat summit.
Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: healabhal vore
Quick facts
- Height
- 471m/ 1545ft
- Grid ref
- NG 21975 44512
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
grass plateau 50% · heather slopes 35% · rocky cliffs 15%
Most walkers traverse from Healabhal Bheag, dropping to the boggy col before climbing the south-east flank to the larger table-top. A direct approach from Osdale (NG 25 47) ascends the steep east face. Around 11 km return for the pair, with 700m of total climb.
Terrain
A wet col separates the two Tables — peat hags and small streams need crossing before the headwall climb. The Mhor plateau is broader and slightly less perfectly flat than its smaller sister.
In winter
The bealach holds wet snow and drifts, and the east-face ascent ices up after rain-freeze cycles. From the top the Atlantic wind has had a 4,000-mile fetch — be prepared.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 21m
- Edinburgh10h 40m
OS maps: OS Landranger 23, OS Explorer 407
Mobile signal: Poor. South Skye interior; EE absent. Broadford is the nearest coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:28
- Sunset
- 22:26
- Civil dawn
- 03:18
- Civil dusk
- 23:37
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Healabhal Mhor.
Around Healabhal Mhor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
57km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
26km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Talisker
Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied
20km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Healabhal Mhor — common questions
- How hard is Healabhal Mhor?
- Healabhal Mhor is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A wet col separates the two Tables — peat hags and small streams need crossing before the headwall climb.
- When is the best time to climb Healabhal Mhor?
- The standard good-weather months for Healabhal Mhor 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 Healabhal Mhor?
- 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 Healabhal Mhor?
- Poor. South Skye interior; EE absent. Broadford is the nearest coverage.
- Is Healabhal Mhor safe in winter?
- The bealach holds wet snow and drifts, and the east-face ascent ices up after rain-freeze cycles. From the top the Atlantic wind has had a 4,000-mile fetch — be prepared.
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