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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]
Heiseabhal Mor, anglicised as Heishival Mor, is a 190m peak in the NL 626 grid square at the south-west end of Barra. The name means 'big sacred hill' in Norse-Gaelic, and the summit looks out over the Mingulay sea cliffs and the open Atlantic.
Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: heiseabhal more [theiseabhal mor] [heishival mor]
Quick facts
- Height
- 190m/ 623ft
- Prominence
- 190 m
- Grid ref
- NL 62673 96347
- 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
blanket bog 50% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · rocky summit 15%
Start from the road near Tangasdale or Halaman Bay on the western shore of Barra and climb directly up the heathery western flank. The going is steep in the middle section before easing onto the gneiss summit dome. Around 2-3 hours round trip.
Terrain
Rough gneiss bedrock pokes through wet heather and tussock on the lower slopes. Higher up, slabby rock dominates with grassy ledges between outcrops.
In winter
Snow rarely settles on these Atlantic-facing slopes for more than a few days. Wind chill is the real winter hazard — the western aspect catches every gale crossing the Sea of the Hebrides.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 59m
- Edinburgh12h 34m
Ferry access
Oban → Castlebay (Barra)
- Crossing time285 min
- Summer sailings1 sailing daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings4–5 sailings per week (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
A four-and-three-quarter-hour direct crossing — plan an overnight stay. Alternative: fly to Barra Airport (beach landing), or reach via Eriskay → Ardmhor (Barra) after taking the South Uist ferry.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 31, OS Explorer 452N, OS Explorer 452S
Mobile signal: Poor. signal fades on the walk-in; Lewisian gneiss terrain gives zero coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:25
- Sunset
- 21:48
- Civil dawn
- 04:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
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Submit a photoHeiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor] — common questions
- How difficult is Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]?
- Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor] carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Rough gneiss bedrock pokes through wet heather and tussock on the lower slopes.
- What is Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]'s prominence?
- Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]'s prominence is its full height — 190m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor] dog-friendly?
- 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 Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]?
- Poor. signal fades on the walk-in; Lewisian gneiss terrain gives zero coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor]?
- Oban → Castlebay (Barra). 1 sailing daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings per week (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A four-and-three-quarter-hour direct crossing — plan an overnight stay. Alternative: fly to Barra Airport (beach landing), or reach via Eriskay → Ardmhor (Barra) after taking the South Uist ferry.
- Is Heiseabhal Mor [Theiseabhal Mor] [Heishival Mor] safe in winter?
- Snow rarely settles on these Atlantic-facing slopes for more than a few days. Wind chill is the real winter hazard — the western aspect catches every gale crossing the Sea of the Hebrides.
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