Marilyn · Cairngorms
Meikle Balloch Hill
A 366m forested hill near Keith in Banffshire, threaded by mountain-bike trails and forestry tracks. The summit cairn pokes above the conifers and gives unexpectedly wide views to the Moray Firth coast.
Quick facts
- Height
- 366m/ 1201ft
- Prominence
- 193 m
- Grid ref
- NJ 47110 49506
- Nearest city
- Aberdeen· 64km
- 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
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
heather moorland 70% · grass slopes 20% · rocky summit 10%
Start from the Meikle Balloch car park east of Keith, off the A95. A network of waymarked forestry trails leads to the summit; the most direct route is about 5km return with 200m of ascent. Allow two hours.
Terrain
Forestry roads and gravel tracks throughout. The summit area is felled and replanted in places, giving easy walking but some windblown timber to step around.
In winter
The forest gives good shelter and snow rarely lies long under the trees. Ice on the firm tracks is the main winter concern, especially on shaded sections.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 35m
- Edinburgh4h 10m
OS maps: OS Landranger 28, OS Landranger 29, OS Explorer 425S
Mobile signal: Good. EE reliable on this Banffshire hill. Solid coverage on summit and approach.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:33
- Civil dawn
- 04:10
- Civil dusk
- 22:27
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Meikle Balloch Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meikle Balloch Hill — common questions
- Is Meikle Balloch Hill a hard climb?
- Meikle Balloch Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry roads and gravel tracks throughout.
- How prominent is Meikle Balloch Hill?
- Meikle Balloch Hill has 193m 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 Meikle Balloch Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Meikle Balloch Hill 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 Meikle Balloch Hill?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Meikle Balloch Hill?
- Good. EE reliable on this Banffshire hill. Solid coverage on summit and approach.
- Is Meikle Balloch Hill safe in winter?
- The forest gives good shelter and snow rarely lies long under the trees. Ice on the firm tracks is the main winter concern, especially on shaded sections.
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.