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
- 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%
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.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
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
- Sunrise
- 05:09
- Sunset
- 21:44
- Civil dawn
- 04:15
- Civil dusk
- 22:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Meall Liath Choire on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
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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