Corbett · Glen Coe
Meall Lighiche
Meall Lighiche — 'the physician's hill' — is the rounded 772m Corbett rising between Glen Etive and Glen Creran, set in the quieter country south-west of the main Glen Coe Munros. The mountain is overshadowed by its neighbours — Sgor na h-Ulaidh and Stob a' Choin Dubh to the north, Beinn Sgulaird to the south — and is often climbed by Munro-baggers as a quick add-on after Sgor na h-Ulaidh. The summit gives an open view down Glen Creran to Loch Creran and across to Bidean nam Bian on the far side of Glen Etive.
Quick facts
- Height
- 772m/ 2533ft
- Prominence
- 247 m
- Distance
- ~11 km
- Ascent
- ~700 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN094528
- Parking
- NN035484
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 21km
- 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
glen access 15% · heather hillside 50% · grassy ridge 25% · summit area 10%
From the head of Glen Creran, park in the small lay-by on the minor road just south of Invercreran (NN035484). Walk north up the estate track that runs into the bealach between Meall Lighiche and Sgor na h-Ulaidh. About 3km up the glen, leave the track and climb east up the broad south-west flank of Meall Lighiche. A steady plod on grass and heather gains the modest summit cairn. Allow 5–6 hours.
Terrain
A serviceable estate track covers the lower approach. Beyond it the underlying ground is heather and grass with peat hag in the bealach. The top opens out as wide turf with a low cairn marking the high point. Drier than the Glen Etive average because the hill sits in a partial rain shadow from the Bidean massif.
In winter
A friendly winter Corbett by Glen Coe standards — gentle gradients keep the ascent line clear of avalanche-prone ground, and the north-east aspect holds reliable snow cover. The Glen Creran road is narrow but generally accessible. Cold easterlies from the Bidean massif can be ferocious on the broad summit; carry a windproof.
This hill is in the Glencoe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 8m
- Edinburgh3h 59m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: EE/Vodafone usable at Invercreran; weakens through the glen; no signal on the summit or in the upper bealach
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:21
- Sunset
- 20:21
- Civil dawn
- 05:40
- Civil dusk
- 21:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall Lighiche.
Around Meall Lighiche on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Fort William station
Ben Nevis, Mamores, Aonachs, Knoydart ferry connection
21km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Glencoe
Three Sisters, Aonach Eagach and the Lost Valley — village base on Loch Leven
6km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
23km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Meall Lighiche — common questions
- Is Meall Lighiche a hard climb?
- Meall Lighiche is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 11km with 700m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Underfoot: A serviceable estate track covers the lower approach.
- What is Meall Lighiche's prominence?
- 247m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Meall Lighiche to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Meall Lighiche?
- Most walkers start from NN035484. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Meall Lighiche?
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Meall Lighiche. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Meall Lighiche dog-friendly?
- 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 Lighiche?
- EE/Vodafone usable at Invercreran; weakens through the glen; no signal on the summit or in the upper bealach
- Is Meall Lighiche safe in winter?
- A friendly winter Corbett by Glen Coe standards — gentle gradients keep the ascent line clear of avalanche-prone ground, and the north-east aspect holds reliable snow cover. The Glen Creran road is narrow but generally accessible. Cold easterlies from the Bidean massif can be ferocious on the broad summit; carry a windproof.
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