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
- Prominence
- 184 m
- Grid ref
- NG 21975 44512
- 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
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
- 05:19
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 04:26
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 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?
- We grade Healabhal Mhor at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: A wet col separates the two Tables — peat hags and small streams need crossing before the headwall climb.
- How much drop does Healabhal Mhor have?
- The drop is 184m: measured from the summit of Healabhal Mhor down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Healabhal Mhor?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Healabhal Mhor. 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 Healabhal Mhor?
- 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 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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