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Sub-Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie]
Meall Bhanbhaidh, also written Meall Bhanabhie, is the 326m heather knoll directly above Banavie at the foot of Neptunes Staircase on the Caledonian Canal. Despite its low height, the position immediately opposite Ben Nevis gives one of the best front-row views of Britains highest mountain.
Quick facts
- Height
- 326.7m/ 1072ft
- Prominence
- 147 m
- Grid ref
- NN 11582 78949
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 5km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Sub-Marilyn: 147m of drop — misses the 150m Marilyn cut by 3m. We keep it on the list as a near-miss.
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · rocky slopes 30% · grass slopes 15%
From the canal at Banavie, follow the towpath briefly then strike up forestry tracks on the west side of the hill. A clear track most of the way, with a short open finish to the summit. Around 2 hours circular, ideal as a short outing from Fort William.
Terrain
Forestry tracks underfoot for most of the climb, with a short heather pull at the top. The lower paths are well-graded; the summit area is clear-felled in places and the ground can be churned by machinery in winter.
In winter
Only 326m and just outside Fort William — snow is mostly cosmetic and seldom prevents the walk. Frozen forestry tracks are the main issue in cold spells. Spikes useful; no real winter difficulty.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 23m
- Edinburgh5h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41, OS Explorer 392, OS Explorer 399
Mobile signal: Good. Fort William transmitters give reliable coverage across the hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:16
- Sunset
- 21:38
- Civil dawn
- 04:24
- Civil dusk
- 22:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie] on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Base yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
3km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie] — common questions
- How difficult is Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie]?
- Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie] carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry tracks underfoot for most of the climb, with a short heather pull at the top.
- How prominent is Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie]?
- Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie] has 147m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. That leaves it 3m short of the 150m drop a Marilyn needs — DoBIH classes it a sub-Marilyn, a near-miss rather than a full Marilyn.
- When should I climb Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie]?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie] 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 Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie]?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie]?
- Good. Fort William transmitters give reliable coverage across the hill.
- Is Meall Bhanbhaidh [Meall Bhanabhie] safe in winter?
- Only 326m and just outside Fort William — snow is mostly cosmetic and seldom prevents the walk. Frozen forestry tracks are the main issue in cold spells. Spikes useful; no real winter difficulty.
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