How hard is Meall Liath Choire?

We grade Meall Liath Choire at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Terrain: Moine schist with pale weathered surfaces in the corrie giving the hill its name.

How prominent is Meall Liath Choire?

Meall Liath Choire has 252m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Meall Liath Choire?

The standard good-weather months for Meall Liath Choire 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 Liath Choire?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: Mike Dunn / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Meall Liath Choire

Meall Liath Choire — grey rounded hill of the corrie — stands 549m at NH 226 961 on the south side of Strath Mulzie. The Gaelic refers to the pale schist crag in its north-east corrie, visible from miles away as a grey scar against the heather.

Gaelic: “rounded hill, grey, corrie” · Pronunciation: myowl lee-ah chor-a

Quick facts

Height: 549m/ 1801ft
Prominence: 252 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NH 22690 96179
Nearest city: Inverness· 67km
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 50% · heather moorland 35% · grassy summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Approached from the Oykel Bridge end of Strath Mulzie, with a long forest road walk before the open hill. The grey corrie itself is best avoided; the south-west shoulder gives a steady 90-minute pull. About 6 hours total.

Terrain

Moine schist with pale weathered surfaces in the corrie giving the hill its name. Lower slopes are deep peat banks; the upper ridge dries to firm grass and stone with extensive lichen on every flat surface.

In winter

The north-east corrie holds snow late into spring and produces small avalanches in thaw. The ridge itself stays wind-stripped. Approach from the south-west keeps you out of the dangerous ground.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meall Liath Choire. 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

Glasgow6h 40m
Edinburgh7h 55m

OS maps: OS Landranger 20, OS Explorer 439E

Mobile signal: Very poor. No reliable signal anywhere on this remote hill or approach.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 17mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:47
Sunset: 19:44
Civil dawn: 06:07
Civil dusk: 20:24

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Meall Liath Choire 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

36km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ullapool

Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access

10km from the hill

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Meall Liath Choire — common questions

How hard is Meall Liath Choire?: We grade Meall Liath Choire at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Terrain: Moine schist with pale weathered surfaces in the corrie giving the hill its name.
How prominent is Meall Liath Choire?: Meall Liath Choire has 252m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Meall Liath Choire?: The standard good-weather months for Meall Liath Choire 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 Liath Choire?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Meall Liath Choire?: Very poor. No reliable signal anywhere on this remote hill or approach.
Is Meall Liath Choire safe in winter?: The north-east corrie holds snow late into spring and produces small avalanches in thaw. The ridge itself stays wind-stripped. Approach from the south-west keeps you out of the dangerous ground.

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