Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Meall Meadhonach
Meall Meadhonach — the "middle lump" — is a 423m moorland hill in the NC41 square between Loch Eriboll and Loch Hope. Its name reflects its position between higher ground to north and south.
Quick facts
- Height
- 423m/ 1388ft
- Prominence
- 196 m
- Grid ref
- NC 41002 62786
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather and bog 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
Begin near Hope on the A838, then follow the line of the Allt na Caillich westwards before climbing the open southern shoulder. Allow 4 hours pathless.
Terrain
Wet heather and reedy hollows give way to a clean grassy crown. The Allt na Caillich falls are worth a short detour on the way back.
In winter
Sea-level start keeps the trailhead snow-free most years but the upper moor can hold drifts in lee hollows. Watch for cornices on the small north-facing crag below the cairn.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 0m
- Edinburgh8h 46m
OS maps: OS Landranger 9, OS Explorer 446
Mobile signal: Poor. Signal dies completely on the approach track; full dead zone on summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:04
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 04:08
- Civil dusk
- 22:43
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Meall Meadhonach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall Meadhonach — common questions
- What difficulty is Meall Meadhonach?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Meall Meadhonach comes in at 1/5 — easy. Underfoot: Wet heather and reedy hollows give way to a clean grassy crown.
- What is Meall Meadhonach's prominence?
- 196m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Meall Meadhonach to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Meall Meadhonach?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Meall Meadhonach. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Meall Meadhonach dog-friendly?
- 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 Meadhonach?
- Poor. Signal dies completely on the approach track; full dead zone on summit.
- Is Meall Meadhonach safe in winter?
- Sea-level start keeps the trailhead snow-free most years but the upper moor can hold drifts in lee hollows. Watch for cornices on the small north-facing crag below the cairn.
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