Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Meall nan Clach Ruadha
Meall nan Clach Ruadha — "hill of the red stones" — is a 336m moor in the NC60 grid square between the Kyle of Tongue and Loch Loyal. Its name is a direct reference to the rusty-coloured Old Red Sandstone scatter near the cairn.
Quick facts
- Height
- 336m/ 1102ft
- Grid ref
- NC 60516 56979
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
heather and bog 55% · rocky slopes 30% · grass slopes 15%
Park in Tongue village and use the road south, then leave it at Coldbackie and climb the gentle northeast flank over heather and rusty sandstone. About 3 hours, with the Kyle of Tongue and Ben Loyal in view throughout.
Terrain
Heather and sandstone slabs underfoot, with the red-stained boulders near the top making the cairn unmistakable.
In winter
Frost can paint the red stones with white rime — a striking sight. The route is short enough for a winter half-day but still exposed to the Pentland Firth gales.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 47m
- Edinburgh7h 15m
OS maps: OS Landranger 10, OS Explorer 447N, OS Explorer 448N
Mobile signal: Poor. Signal drops on the glen approach; summit is a complete dead zone.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:09
- Sunset
- 22:27
- Civil dawn
- 02:50
- Civil dusk
- 23:47
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Meall nan Clach Ruadha on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall nan Clach Ruadha — common questions
- How hard is Meall nan Clach Ruadha?
- Meall nan Clach Ruadha is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heather and sandstone slabs underfoot, with the red-stained boulders near the top making the cairn unmistakable.
- When is the best time to climb Meall nan Clach Ruadha?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall nan Clach Ruadha 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 nan Clach Ruadha?
- 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 nan Clach Ruadha?
- Poor. Signal drops on the glen approach; summit is a complete dead zone.
- Is Meall nan Clach Ruadha safe in winter?
- Frost can paint the red stones with white rime — a striking sight. The route is short enough for a winter half-day but still exposed to the Pentland Firth gales.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.