What difficulty is Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 13km and 546m of ascent on the usual route — 4-6 hours for most parties. Terrain: Estate road for several miles of the approach — bring a bike.

How prominent is Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?

Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) has 159m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?

Standard parking is at NH230873 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) 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 Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Andrew Spenceley / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Graham · North-West Highlands

Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)

Beinn Bhreac, also known as Meall Dubh (666m), is a twin-topped moorland mass north of Strath Vaich in the NH28 square, deep in the wide Easter Ross hinterland. The cairn caps the western top with a second high point — the black lump of Meall Dubh — to the east. The view sweeps north over the trackless Freevater country toward Seana Bhraigh.

Quick facts

Height: 666.3m/ 2186ft
Prominence: 159 m
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 546 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NH225886
Parking: NH230873
Nearest: Ullapool· Inverness 62km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

heather moorland 60% · bog and wet grass 25% · rocky outcrops 15%

13km · 546m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Park at the gate beside Loch Vaich on the private estate road north from Garbat. Cycle the long landrover track up to Lubachlaggan if estate access allows, then climb the south flank directly through ankle-deep heather and bog onto the western top. A short walk east across boggy ground reaches Meall Dubh — both should be visited for the full Graham status.

Terrain

Estate road for several miles of the approach — bring a bike. Above the track the going is bog, tussock and patchy heather. The col between the two tops is wet and broken; firm ground is rare anywhere on this hill.

In winter

Easter Ross moorlands hold a thin, wind-blown cover with the deepest snow in the burn heads between the two tops. The vast expanse makes navigation in cloud demanding — there is no landform to aim for once on the broad summit area. Frozen bog gives the easiest walking conditions.

This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 21m
Edinburgh5h 34m

Parking: NH230873

OS maps: OS Landranger 20

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Loch Rannoch/Loch Ericht area; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 28mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:45
Sunset: 22:07
Civil dawn: 03:42
Civil dusk: 23:10

NOAA Solar Calculator · 17 July 2026

Got a photo of Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ardgay station

Kyle of Sutherland; Croick; Far North Line

37km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ullapool

Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access

11km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) — common questions

What difficulty is Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 13km and 546m of ascent on the usual route — 4-6 hours for most parties. Terrain: Estate road for several miles of the approach — bring a bike.
How prominent is Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?: Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) has 159m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?: Standard parking is at NH230873 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) 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 Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh)?: Poor. Remote Loch Rannoch/Loch Ericht area; limited coverage.
Is Beinn Bhreac (Meall Dubh) safe in winter?: Easter Ross moorlands hold a thin, wind-blown cover with the deepest snow in the burn heads between the two tops. The vast expanse makes navigation in cloud demanding — there is no landform to aim for once on the broad summit area. Frozen bog gives the easiest walking conditions.

Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly

One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.