Heacla [Thacla] [Hecla]

About Heacla [Thacla] [Hecla]

Rising sharply above the eastern coastline of South Uist, this rugged Graham is a landscape of shattered rock and steep slopes. Its character is wild and Norse-influenced, providing a stark contrast to the island's flat western machair. The ascent yields commanding views over the Minch to the Isle of Skye and the Cuillin.

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Did You Know?

• •The name originates from the Old Norse 'hekla', meaning 'hooded' or 'shrouded', likely referring to the frequent mantle of mist that clings to its peak; it shares this etymology with the famous Icelandic volcano.
• •Along with its neighbours Beinn Mhòr and Beinn Choradail, it forms a dramatic mountainous backbone that separates the Atlantic-facing sands of South Uist from the rocky inlets of the east coast.
• •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for spotting the distinctive silhouette of Rum and the Small Isles to the southeast, while the entire chain of the Outer Hebrides stretches away to the north.
• •Hikers often combine the peak with a visit to 'Prince Charlie’s Cave' on the eastern slopes of the range, where the Young Pretender hid for several weeks following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden.
• •Standing at 1,990 feet, the peak is just ten feet shy of the 2,000-foot mark, which is perhaps why the mountain seems to try twice as hard as its taller neighbours to feel steep and imposing.