Is Meallan a' Chuail a hard climb?

Meallan a' Chuail is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 615m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Ground conditions: Excellent stalkers' path on the approach, then knobbly trackless gneiss requiring constant route-choice between outcrops.

How much drop does Meallan a' Chuail have?

The drop is 205m: measured from the summit of Meallan a' Chuail down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Meallan a' Chuail?

Park at NC393320 near Ullapool. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Meallan a' Chuail?

Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Meallan a' Chuail. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Meallan a' Chuail?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Colin Park / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Far North

Meallan a' Chuail

A small Lewisian gneiss summit rising above Loch Glendhu in west Sutherland, paired closely with the Corbett Beinn Leoid to the north-east. The whole area is a chaos of bare bedrock knolls and tiny lochans giving views deep into the Reay Forest.

Quick facts

Height: 750.5m/ 2462ft
Prominence: 205 m
Distance: ~14 km
Ascent: ~615 m
Time: 4–7 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NC344292
Parking: NC393320
Nearest: Ullapool· Inverness 90km
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

coast path 20% · deep heather 45% · grassy upper slopes 25% · summit area 10%

14km · 615m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Start at Loch Merkland on the A838 and follow the stalkers' path west through the woodland to Loch an Leothaid. From there, rough trackless ground south-west leads up the heathery flank to the rocky little top.

Terrain

Excellent stalkers' path on the approach, then knobbly trackless gneiss requiring constant route-choice between outcrops. Wet hollows and small lochans break up the line.

In winter

A short hill but the surrounding terrain becomes a navigation puzzle in snow as the small lochans and outcrops merge into one white surface. Sub-zero days bring rime to the gneiss; eye to weather windows is essential at this latitude.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meallan a' Chuail. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow5h 5m
Edinburgh5h 12m

Parking: NC393320

OS maps: OS Landranger 15

Mobile signal: Nothing in this remote Loch Morar/Knoydart area

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 47mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:52
Sunset: 18:19
Civil dawn: 07:12
Civil dusk: 18:59

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Meallan a' Chuail on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Lairg station

Central Sutherland; Ben Klibreck approach; gateway to Far North inland

34km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Lochinver

Assynt base — Suilven, Cul Mor, Quinag

26km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Meallan a' Chuail — common questions

Is Meallan a' Chuail a hard climb?: Meallan a' Chuail is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 615m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Ground conditions: Excellent stalkers' path on the approach, then knobbly trackless gneiss requiring constant route-choice between outcrops.
How much drop does Meallan a' Chuail have?: The drop is 205m: measured from the summit of Meallan a' Chuail down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Meallan a' Chuail?: Park at NC393320 near Ullapool. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Meallan a' Chuail?: Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Meallan a' Chuail. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Meallan a' Chuail?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Meallan a' Chuail?: Nothing in this remote Loch Morar/Knoydart area
Is Meallan a' Chuail safe in winter?: A short hill but the surrounding terrain becomes a navigation puzzle in snow as the small lochans and outcrops merge into one white surface. Sub-zero days bring rime to the gneiss; eye to weather windows is essential at this latitude.

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