Marilyn · torridon
Meall an Doirein
Meall an Doirein — the lump of the little grove — stands at 422m at NG 859 754 on the hill ground north of Poolewe. A scrap of native birch survives in the sheltered gully on its eastern flank, giving the hill its name in a largely treeless landscape.
Quick facts
- Height
- 422.7m/ 1387ft
- Grid ref
- NG 85908 75406
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 86km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
Start from the layby on the A832 north of Poolewe. The walk follows a faint track through wet ground onto the open hillside, then climbs heather to the small summit. Around 3 hours.
Terrain
Boggy ground throughout the lower approach, where peat haggs and small lochans complicate route choice. Heather and short grass on the upper slopes; one or two small Lewisian gneiss outcrops near the top.
In winter
Sea-edge location keeps the summit largely free of lying snow. Storms off the Minch hit hard — wind chill is more of a hazard here than freezing temperatures. Daylight is the binding constraint in winter.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 56m
- Edinburgh8h 43m
OS maps: OS Landranger 19, OS Explorer 433, OS Explorer 434
Mobile signal: Poor. Dead zone for all networks on this remote Ross-shire hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:21
- Sunset
- 22:25
- Civil dawn
- 03:08
- Civil dusk
- 23:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Meall an Doirein on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall an Doirein — common questions
- How hard is Meall an Doirein?
- Meall an Doirein is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Boggy ground throughout the lower approach, where peat haggs and small lochans complicate route choice.
- When is the best time to climb Meall an Doirein?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall an Doirein 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 Meall an Doirein?
- 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 an Doirein?
- Poor. Dead zone for all networks on this remote Ross-shire hill.
- Is Meall an Doirein safe in winter?
- Sea-edge location keeps the summit largely free of lying snow. Storms off the Minch hit hard — wind chill is more of a hazard here than freezing temperatures. Daylight is the binding constraint in winter.
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