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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
- Prominence
- 160 m
- Grid ref
- NB 21333 18784
- 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 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. An all-network dead zone; Lewis interior is largely off-grid.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:52
- Civil dawn
- 04:20
- Civil dusk
- 22:47
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 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
- What difficulty is Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Terrain: Wet peat moor cut by hags and burns, with scattered lochans to skirt and a final climb over gneiss outcrops.
- How prominent is Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor] has 160m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I 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]?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Sleteachal Mhor [Sleiteachal Mhor]?
- Poor. An all-network dead zone; 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.
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