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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Roineabhal [Roneval]
Roneval — not to be confused with the bigger Harris Roineabhal — is a 201m hill overlooking Lochboisdale on South Uist. Its slopes look down on the ferry pier and the green machair of the southern coast.
Quick facts
- Height
- 201m/ 659ft
- Prominence
- 152 m
- Grid ref
- NF 81697 14032
- 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%
A simple jaunt from the village, taking a southerly line up rough pasture and gneiss outcrops to the summit. Allow ninety minutes return, or extend along the coast for a fuller half-day.
Terrain
Short cropped turf, gneiss steps and patches of heather; far less boggy than other Uist hills. The ground is well drained on the seaward flanks.
In winter
A handy storm-day or jet-lagged walk, sheltered to some degree by the surrounding village. Bare rock can be slippery when iced; otherwise winter walking conditions are essentially autumnal.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow8h 26m
- Edinburgh11h 57m
Ferry access
Mallaig → Lochboisdale (South Uist)
- Crossing time210 min
- Summer sailings1–2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailingsReduced sailings on a combined Oban–Castlebay/Lochboisdale winter timetable (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
Plan an overnight stay. Alternative: Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy (North Uist) then drive south across the causeways.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 31, OS Explorer 453S
Mobile signal: Poor. No signal anywhere here; South Uist gneiss gives no coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:23
- Sunset
- 21:48
- Civil dawn
- 04:31
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Roineabhal [Roneval] — common questions
- How hard is Roineabhal [Roneval]?
- We grade Roineabhal [Roneval] at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Short cropped turf, gneiss steps and patches of heather; far less boggy than other Uist hills.
- How much drop does Roineabhal [Roneval] have?
- The drop is 152m: measured from the summit of Roineabhal [Roneval] 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 Roineabhal [Roneval]?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Roineabhal [Roneval]. 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 Roineabhal [Roneval]?
- 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 Roineabhal [Roneval]?
- Poor. No signal anywhere here; South Uist gneiss gives no coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Roineabhal [Roneval]?
- Mallaig → Lochboisdale (South Uist). 1–2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; Reduced sailings on a combined Oban–Castlebay/Lochboisdale winter timetable (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Plan an overnight stay. Alternative: Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy (North Uist) then drive south across the causeways.
- Is Roineabhal [Roneval] safe in winter?
- A handy storm-day or jet-lagged walk, sheltered to some degree by the surrounding village. Bare rock can be slippery when iced; otherwise winter walking conditions are essentially autumnal.
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