Corbett · Far North
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill — usually shortened to MLCMD by Corbett baggers wrestling with the full name — is a 800m Corbett in the Reay Forest of west Sutherland, between Loch Stack and Ben Stack. The hill is built of Lewisian gneiss and Cambrian quartzite, with a trig pillar set inside a stone windshelter at the highest point. With 349m of prominence it stands clear of its neighbours and the position high on the Reay watershed gives an extraordinary far-north panorama from Cape Wrath in the north-west to Sutherland's empty interior in the east.
Gaelic: “little rounded hill, grey, corrie, son of” · Pronunciation: meallan lee-ah kor-a mhic dhughaill
Quick facts
- Height
- 800.8m/ 2627ft
- Prominence
- 350 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 656 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC357391
- Parking
- NC270413
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 99km
- 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
estate track 30% · peat hag 30% · quartzite scree 30% · summit shelter 10%
Start from the lay-by on the A838 near Lochstack Lodge and walk in along the estate track south of Loch Stack toward Aird na Claise Caerich. After about 4km on the track, drop off it and pull up steep heather and quartzite scree south onto the broad north ridge of the hill. Around 14km return with 656m of ascent. Often combined with Arkle to the south for a full Reay Forest day.
Terrain
The Loch Stack track is firm. Off the track the ground turns to wet peat hag and tussock — slow walking — before the quartzite scree of the upper hill takes over. The summit zone is a wide stony platform with the windshelter clearly visible. No exposure or scrambling. Quartzite slippery in wet conditions.
In winter
A serious winter day in remote far-north country — the quartzite ices up early and the long approach gives no shelter from Atlantic loading. Daylight is short above 58°N. The A838 along Loch Stack is generally kept open but the lay-by ices over. Phone signal is non-existent across the Reay Forest.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 17m
- Edinburgh5h 23m
OS maps: OS Landranger 15
Mobile signal: No signal in the Reay Forest area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:34
- Sunset
- 22:16
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:24
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill.
On a long-distance route
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill — common questions
- How hard is Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill?
- We grade Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. The usual route is around 14km with 656m of climbing; allow 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Loch Stack track is firm.
- How prominent is Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill?
- Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill has 350m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill?
- Standard parking is at NC270413 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill?
- The standard good-weather months for Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill 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 Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill?
- No signal in the Reay Forest area
- Is Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill safe in winter?
- A serious winter day in remote far-north country — the quartzite ices up early and the long approach gives no shelter from Atlantic loading. Daylight is short above 58°N. The A838 along Loch Stack is generally kept open but the lay-by ices over. Phone signal is non-existent across the Reay Forest.
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