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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]
Maol Domhnaich, anglicised as Muldoanich, is a tiny uninhabited island in the NL 689 grid square south-east of Vatersay. The 154m hill that gives the island its outline is a serious objective only because there is no scheduled access — a charter sail and a short scramble are the price of admission.
Quick facts
- Height
- 154m/ 505ft
- Prominence
- 154 m
- Grid ref
- NL 68900 94005
- 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
coastal grass 60% · heather patches 25% · rocky summit 15%
After being landed by charter boat from Castlebay, climb directly from any of the boulder beaches on the north side. Steep grass and gneiss steps lead to a small grassy summit with all-round sea views. An hour of walking once ashore.
Terrain
Short coastal turf merges into heather and broken gneiss as you climb. Sea-cliff edges drop on the south and west sides and require care, especially in wind.
In winter
Boat access is rarely available between October and March, so this is a summer-only objective. Even then, swell often prevents safe landing on the steep northern shore.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 42m
- Edinburgh11h 17m
OS maps: OS Landranger 31, OS Explorer 452N, OS Explorer 452S
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote small island near Barra; no reliable 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
Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich] — common questions
- What difficulty is Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich] comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Short coastal turf merges into heather and broken gneiss as you climb.
- How much drop does Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich] have?
- Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]'s prominence is its full height — 154m — 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 Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]. 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 Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]?
- 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 Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich]?
- Poor. Remote small island near Barra; no reliable coverage.
- Is Maol Domhnaich [Muldoanich] safe in winter?
- Boat access is rarely available between October and March, so this is a summer-only objective. Even then, swell often prevents safe landing on the steep northern shore.
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