Is Meadie Ridge a hard climb?

Meadie Ridge is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: A long crossing of saturated blanket peat punctuated by reed-fringed pool systems.

How much drop does Meadie Ridge have?

The drop is 159m: measured from the summit of Meadie Ridge down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Meadie Ridge?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Meadie Ridge. 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 Meadie Ridge?

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

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Meadie Ridge

Meadie Ridge is a low 414m crest in the NC49 grid square overlooking Loch Meadie, well east of Altnaharra. Reedy lochans dotted across its plateau give it a Flow Country flavour.

Quick facts

Height: 414m/ 1358ft
Prominence: 159 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NC 49931 43791
Nearest city: Inverness· 100km
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

blanket bog 60% · heather moorland 25% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the B873 at Altnaharra, cross the Allt Eileag and follow the gentle east shoulder onto the ridge. Roughly 5 hours pathless walking.

Terrain

A long crossing of saturated blanket peat punctuated by reed-fringed pool systems. The ridge itself is firmer with patches of quartz scree.

In winter

Far easier travelling when the peat is frozen solid. Short December daylight makes a pre-dawn start essential.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meadie Ridge. 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

Glasgow7h 31m
Edinburgh7h 10m

OS maps: OS Landranger 9, OS Explorer 447S

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote north Sutherland; no reliable coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 18mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:45
Sunset: 19:43
Civil dawn: 06:05
Civil dusk: 20:23

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Meadie Ridge 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

40km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Durness

Cape Wrath base; Smoo Cave; Sandwood Bay walk-in

26km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Meadie Ridge — common questions

Is Meadie Ridge a hard climb?: Meadie Ridge is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: A long crossing of saturated blanket peat punctuated by reed-fringed pool systems.
How much drop does Meadie Ridge have?: The drop is 159m: measured from the summit of Meadie Ridge down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Meadie Ridge?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Meadie Ridge. 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 Meadie Ridge?: 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 Meadie Ridge?: Poor. Remote north Sutherland; no reliable coverage.
Is Meadie Ridge safe in winter?: Far easier travelling when the peat is frozen solid. Short December daylight makes a pre-dawn start essential.

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