How hard is Heileasbhal Mor?

Heileasbhal Mor is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Knolly gneiss terrain with peaty hollows and small lochans.

When is the best time to climb Heileasbhal Mor?

The standard good-weather months for Heileasbhal Mor 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 Heileasbhal Mor?

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 Heileasbhal Mor?

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.

How hard is Heileasbhal Mor?

Heileasbhal Mor is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Knolly gneiss terrain with peaty hollows and small lochans.

When is the best time to climb Heileasbhal Mor?

The standard good-weather months for Heileasbhal Mor 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 Heileasbhal Mor?

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 Heileasbhal Mor?

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.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Klaas van der Veen / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

Heileasbhal Mor

Heileasbhal Mor is a quiet 384m hill in the lumpy hill country of south Harris, just west of An Coileach. It looks across to Roineabhal and out over the Sound of Harris to North Uist and the Monach Isles.

Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: heileasbhal more

Quick facts

Height: 384m/ 1260ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 07351 92745
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

Lewisian gneiss 45% · blanket bog 35% · rocky summit 20%

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A short walk-in from the A859 climbs the rough east side onto the broad summit dome. About three hours return through pathless heather and bog with stretches of bare gneiss.

Terrain

Knolly gneiss terrain with peaty hollows and small lochans. Drier ground on the rocky shoulders provides easier going.

In winter

Mild winters but ground often saturated and the bare rock slick when frozen. Strong gales sweep over the col from the Atlantic.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow9h 36m
Edinburgh11h 50m

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 14, OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 455

Mobile signal: Poor. No EE signal; Harris interior has virtually no coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

20h 33mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:26
Sunset: 22:31
Civil dawn: 03:12
Civil dusk: 23:45

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Heileasbhal Mor on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Tarbert (Harris)

Harris base — Clisham, Luskentyre, Hebridean Way

11km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Isle of Harris

Tarbert (Harris) — new island distillery; also known for the Harris Gin

11km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Heileasbhal Mor — common questions

How hard is Heileasbhal Mor?: Heileasbhal Mor is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Knolly gneiss terrain with peaty hollows and small lochans.
When is the best time to climb Heileasbhal Mor?: The standard good-weather months for Heileasbhal Mor 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 Heileasbhal Mor?: 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 Heileasbhal Mor?: Poor. No EE signal; Harris interior has virtually no coverage.
How do I get the ferry to Heileasbhal Mor?: 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 Heileasbhal Mor safe in winter?: Mild winters but ground often saturated and the bare rock slick when frozen. Strong gales sweep over the col from the Atlantic.

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