Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]
Sleteachal Mhor, the Big Slippery Hill, rises in the empty interior of south Lewis between Loch Erisort and Loch Seaforth. At 246m it is modest in height but its 152m prominence gives a real sense of summit when you finally reach the rocky top.
Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: sleteachal vore [sleiteachal mhor]
Quick facts
- Height
- 246.5m/ 809ft
- Grid ref
- NB 21333 18784
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%
Approach from the B8060 above Loch Erisort or from Balallan, then strike south across miles of trackless bog and lochan-strewn moor. Allow four to five hours for the round; the going is slow and the terrain unforgiving.
Terrain
Wet peat moor cut by hags and burns, with scattered lochans to skirt and a final climb over gneiss outcrops. Slippery wet rock at the summit gives the hill its Gaelic name.
In winter
Little snow holds but the moor turns to a quagmire in wet weather. Short December daylight, fierce wind and featureless ground make this a poor choice for shoulder-season novices.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 35m
- Edinburgh11h 40m
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 13, OS Landranger 14, OS Explorer 456
Mobile signal: Poor. Dead zone for all networks; Lewis interior is largely off-grid.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:23
- Sunset
- 22:33
- Civil dawn
- 03:07
- Civil dusk
- 23:48
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] — common questions
- How hard is Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Wet peat moor cut by hags and burns, with scattered lochans to skirt and a final climb over gneiss outcrops.
- When is the best time to climb Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- The standard good-weather months for Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] are 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 Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- 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 Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- Poor. Dead zone for all networks; Lewis interior is largely off-grid.
- How do I get the ferry to Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- 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 Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] safe in winter?
- Little snow holds but the moor turns to a quagmire in wet weather. Short December daylight, fierce wind and featureless ground make this a poor choice for shoulder-season novices.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.
![Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs0.geograph.org.uk%2Fgeophotos%2F05%2F80%2F59%2F5805922_db9ebaaa.jpg&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_HxnhrACFBuHaG2wuQvfDwvzaqGXF)