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
- 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%
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.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
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
- Sunrise
- 05:05
- Sunset
- 21:45
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:41
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Meadie Ridge on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
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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