Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Leathad Mor
Leathad Mor — the big slope — is a 547m wedge of moor west of Loch Lyon, at NN 378 510 above the head of the loch in the lonely march country between Glen Lyon and Auch. The summit cairn perches on the rim of a long broad ridge that drops east into Glen Mearan and west to the headwaters of the River Coupall.
Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: leathad more
Quick facts
- Height
- 547m/ 1795ft
- Grid ref
- NN 37840 51015
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 36km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 70% · grass and sedge 20% · rocky outcrops 10%
The shortest line begins at the road end above Loch Lyon dam. Cross the dam embankment, follow the burnt-out estate path north, and once on the open hill climb the eastern shoulder of Leathad Mor directly — there is no continuous footpath, and the route is best done in clear weather.
Terrain
Vast deer-grass and bog-cotton moor with intermittent peat hags; surprisingly few stones underfoot until the small summit cairn. Crossings of the upper Allt Mearan can be awkward in spate.
In winter
A serious half-day in winter — the broad summit is featureless, snow drifts deep on the leeward side, and there is no shelter for nearly 10km. A whiteout-capable navigation plan is essential. Snowshoes occasionally helpful on the peat hags.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 13m
- Edinburgh4h 9m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41, OS Explorer 385W
Mobile signal: Poor. EE absent; nearest coverage near Aberfeldy or Killin.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:12
- Civil dawn
- 03:21
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Leathad Mor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Leathad Mor — common questions
- How hard is Leathad Mor?
- Leathad Mor is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Vast deer-grass and bog-cotton moor with intermittent peat hags; surprisingly few stones underfoot until the small summit cairn.
- When is the best time to climb Leathad Mor?
- The standard good-weather months for Leathad Mor are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Leathad Mor?
- 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 Leathad Mor?
- Poor. EE absent; nearest coverage near Aberfeldy or Killin.
- Is Leathad Mor safe in winter?
- A serious half-day in winter — the broad summit is featureless, snow drifts deep on the leeward side, and there is no shelter for nearly 10km. A whiteout-capable navigation plan is essential. Snowshoes occasionally helpful on the peat hags.
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