Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Meall nan Eun
Meall nan Eun (667m) — the hill of the birds — sits in the wild moorland between Loch Hourn and Loch Quoich in the NG90 square, on the rugged north side of the Knoydart peninsula approach. The summit boulder, perched on a Lewisian gneiss outcrop, looks out over the sea at Kinloch Hourn to the Skye Cuillin on the far horizon.
Quick facts
- Height
- 667m/ 2188ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 547 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG903052
- Parking
- NG914051
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
heather moorland 60% · bog and wet grass 25% · grassy summit 15%
Park at the road end at Kinloch Hourn — a tortuous single-track drive in itself. Follow the coastal path west toward Barrisdale for around 3km, then climb the steep heather slopes directly north onto the broad ridge. The summit boulder appears beyond a series of false tops; the descent reverses the line back to the loch shore.
Terrain
Coastal path through bracken and birch, then a sustained tussock climb on the open hillside. The upper ridge is broken Lewisian gneiss with grassy steps between outcrops. Pathless above the loch with a series of false summits guarding the cairn.
In winter
Knoydart winters bring heavy wet snow and Atlantic gales. Meall nan Eun is exposed on its western flank but the gneiss summit area is generally wind-scoured. The Kinloch Hourn road becomes treacherous in any snowfall and is best avoided in winter conditions altogether.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 0m
- Edinburgh4h 37m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Loch Tulla area; limited coverage on most networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:37
- Sunset
- 22:02
- Civil dawn
- 03:36
- Civil dusk
- 23:03
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Meall nan Eun on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall nan Eun — common questions
- How hard is Meall nan Eun?
- Meall nan Eun is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 547m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Coastal path through bracken and birch, then a sustained tussock climb on the open hillside.
- Where do I park for Meall nan Eun?
- Standard parking is at NG914051 near Fort William. 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 nan Eun?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall nan Eun 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 nan Eun?
- 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 nan Eun?
- Poor. Remote Loch Tulla area; limited coverage on most networks.
- Is Meall nan Eun safe in winter?
- Knoydart winters bring heavy wet snow and Atlantic gales. Meall nan Eun is exposed on its western flank but the gneiss summit area is generally wind-scoured. The Kinloch Hourn road becomes treacherous in any snowfall and is best avoided in winter conditions altogether.