What difficulty is Mullach Buidhe?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Mullach Buidhe comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: Rough grass, heather and rock with no made paths.

What is Mullach Buidhe's prominence?

Mullach Buidhe's prominence is its full height — 162m — 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 Mullach Buidhe?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Mullach Buidhe. 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 Mullach Buidhe dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Anne Burgess / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

Mullach Buidhe

Mullach Buidhe, the yellow summit, is the 162m high point of the Shiant Isles, the uninhabited group out in the Minch east of Harris. It is one of the lowest Marilyns, but one of the hardest to stand on, with the whole of the Minch around it.

Gaelic: “summit, yellow” · Pronunciation: mull-ach boo-yeh

Quick facts

Height: 161.8m/ 531ft
Prominence: 162 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 41485 98645
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

rocky ground 45% · blanket bog 35% · rocky summit 20%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

There is no public ferry to the Shiant Isles. The only way on is a private boat or charter across the Minch, and whether you can land at all depends on the sea on the day. Once ashore there are no paths; climb the rough grass and rock to the summit, keeping well back from the cliffs.

Terrain

Rough grass, heather and rock with no made paths. Cliffs drop to the sea on several sides of the island.

In winter

Exposed to every Minch storm, and boat landings outside settled summer weather are rarely possible. Snow is rare.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Mullach Buidhe. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow8h 36m
Edinburgh10h 39m

OS maps: OS Landranger 14, OS Explorer 457

Mobile signal: Poor. Do not count on any coverage out in the Minch.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

10h 43mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:29
Sunset: 16:49
Civil dawn: 06:48
Civil dusk: 17:31

NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026

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Around Mullach Buidhe 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

26km 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

26km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Mullach Buidhe — common questions

What difficulty is Mullach Buidhe?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Mullach Buidhe comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: Rough grass, heather and rock with no made paths.
What is Mullach Buidhe's prominence?: Mullach Buidhe's prominence is its full height — 162m — 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 Mullach Buidhe?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Mullach Buidhe. 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 Mullach Buidhe 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 Mullach Buidhe?: Poor. Do not count on any coverage out in the Minch.
Is Mullach Buidhe safe in winter?: Exposed to every Minch storm, and boat landings outside settled summer weather are rarely possible. Snow is rare.

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