What difficulty is Uisinis?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Uisinis comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Ground conditions: Estate tracks for the first stretch, then pathless peat, gneiss and clifftop machair.

How much drop does Uisinis have?

The drop is 229m: measured from the summit of Uisinis 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 Uisinis?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September on Uisinis. 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 Uisinis?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

How do I get the ferry to Uisinis?

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.

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

Uisinis

Uisinis is a 374m headland Marilyn at the far southeast corner of the Pairc peninsula in south Lewis, crowned by an unmanned Stevenson lighthouse on the cliff edge a kilometre to the east. The summit has one of the most maritime feels of any Outer Hebridean hill.

Quick facts

Height: 374m/ 1227ft
Prominence: 229 m
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NB 33748 05614
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% · coastal grass 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A committing 22-26km return from Eishken, usually 9-11 hours. Many parties walk in via the old stalkers' tracks and stop at Uisinis bothy, making a two-day trip rather than a single push.

Terrain

Estate tracks for the first stretch, then pathless peat, gneiss and clifftop machair. The east cliffs above the Minch are vertical sea cliffs — give them wide berth in poor visibility.

In winter

Almost always tackled with a bothy night to break the distance. Daylight in midwinter is too short for a single-day round; spring is the practical season.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Uisinis. 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 58m
Edinburgh10h 2m

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 457

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Harris peninsula; very limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 17mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:53
Sunset: 19:50
Civil dawn: 06:13
Civil dusk: 20:30

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Uisinis 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

19km 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

19km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Uisinis — common questions

What difficulty is Uisinis?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Uisinis comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Ground conditions: Estate tracks for the first stretch, then pathless peat, gneiss and clifftop machair.
How much drop does Uisinis have?: The drop is 229m: measured from the summit of Uisinis 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 Uisinis?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September on Uisinis. 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 Uisinis?: 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 Uisinis?: Poor. Remote Harris peninsula; very limited coverage.
How do I get the ferry to Uisinis?: 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 Uisinis safe in winter?: Almost always tackled with a bothy night to break the distance. Daylight in midwinter is too short for a single-day round; spring is the practical season.

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