Meall

Meall summits dominate the Drumochter, Mamlorn, Ben Lawers and Cairngorms ranges. They are typically broad, grassy, often with extensive plateau ground and few defining features beyond the summit cairn. In winter, Meall summits are the avalanche-prone shoulder slopes leading up to the broad tops — the Drumochter Meall Munros account for a significant number of Scottish winter walker fatalities because the navigation across featureless plateau is harder than the climb itself.

For summer walkers, Meall Munros are often the right answer for navigation practice. The featureless terrain forces you to use compass bearings and pacing rather than path-following; the relatively forgiving angles mean a mistake is recoverable rather than catastrophic. Most Mountain Leader training courses include at least one Meall Munro day for exactly this reason.

For winter walkers, Meall summits are the genuine examination of navigation skills. A Cairngorm plateau day in cloud is among the most navigation-demanding outings in British hillwalking — the ground gives no clue to direction and the consequences of error can include walking off a cornice or into a corrie headwall. The SAIS forecast and the MWIS visibility prediction are essential pre-trip reading for any plateau day.