Corbett · Far North
Meall Horn
Meall Horn — sometimes anglicised as Meallhorn or just the Horn — is a 776m Corbett in the Reay Forest of north-west Sutherland, between Loch Stack and the great quartzite peaks of Foinaven and Arkle. A mix of Moine schist with quartzite outcrops gives the upper hill a similar pale, blocky character to its bigger neighbours. The summit is a large stone cairn on a wide rounded top with one of the most striking views of the Foinaven ridge as a foreground feature.
Quick facts
- Height
- 776.7m/ 2548ft
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 636 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC352449
- Parking
- NC295394
- Nearest
- Ullapool
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
estate track 35% · wet peat 25% · quartzite scree 30% · stone cairn 10%
Start from the A838 at Achfary, between Loch Stack and Loch More, and follow the estate track north toward Lone. After roughly 5km, leave the track and climb pathless quartzite and heather slopes east onto the broad south ridge of Meall Horn. Around 14km return with 636m of ascent. Often combined with neighbouring Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill for a long Reay Forest day.
Terrain
The Achfary estate track is well-graded. Off the track the lower ground is wet peat; the upper hillside is broken schist with patches of loose quartzite scree — pale, painful underfoot in places. The summit area is a broad stony top with the large cairn unmistakable. Quartzite slippery in wet conditions. No exposure on the standard line.
In winter
A genuinely remote winter outing above 58°N — short daylight, full Atlantic loading, and quartzite that ices up early. No avalanche concerns on the standard line. The A838 is generally kept open along Loch More. Phone signal is absent across the Reay Forest.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 23m
- Edinburgh5h 29m
OS maps: OS Landranger 9
Mobile signal: No signal at Achfary; nothing across the Reay Forest interior
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:09
- Civil dawn
- 03:17
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall Horn.
On a long-distance route
Meall Horn sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Meall Horn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall Horn — common questions
- How hard is Meall Horn?
- Meall Horn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 636m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: The Achfary estate track is well-graded.
- Where do I park for Meall Horn?
- Standard parking is at NC295394 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Meall Horn?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall Horn are May, June, July, August, September. 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 Meall Horn?
- 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 Meall Horn?
- No signal at Achfary; nothing across the Reay Forest interior
- Is Meall Horn safe in winter?
- A genuinely remote winter outing above 58°N — short daylight, full Atlantic loading, and quartzite that ices up early. No avalanche concerns on the standard line. The A838 is generally kept open along Loch More. Phone signal is absent across the Reay Forest.