Marilyn · ochils
Meikle Bin
Meikle Bin is the cone-shaped second summit of the Campsie Fells, rising in the NS 667 grid square above the Carron Valley reservoir. Its distinctive profile is recognisable from much of central Scotland and the 570m top gives one of the finest viewpoints in the southern Highlands.
Quick facts
- Height
- 570m/ 1870ft
- Grid ref
- NS 66722 82171
- Nearest city
- Stirling· 17km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
volcanic basalt 50% · heather moorland 35% · grass slopes 15%
The shortest line climbs from the Carron Valley forest car park on a Forestry track and then steeply up the heathery cone to the trig. A 9km round on good ground with around 350m of ascent, easily fitted into half a day.
Terrain
Forest road approach gives way to deep heather and peat on the upper cone, with the path eroded to bare basalt in places. Drier underfoot than Earl's Seat thanks to the steeper gradient.
In winter
Hard frost in clear winter weather makes for excellent quick walking and the views to the snow-covered Trossachs are first class. Sheet ice can form on the upper basalt sections after a thaw-freeze cycle.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow0h 29m
- Edinburgh2h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 57, OS Landranger 64, OS Explorer 348
Mobile signal: Good. Central belt; EE reliable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:05
- Civil dawn
- 03:27
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meikle Bin.
Around Meikle Bin on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Stirling station
Ochils, Dumyat, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument
17km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Callander
Trossachs gateway — Ben Ledi, Stuc a Chroin, Rob Roy Way
26km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glengoyne
Killearn — straddles Highland Boundary Fault; air-dried barley, unpeated style
15km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Meikle Bin — common questions
- How hard is Meikle Bin?
- Meikle Bin is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forest road approach gives way to deep heather and peat on the upper cone, with the path eroded to bare basalt in places.
- When is the best time to climb Meikle Bin?
- The standard good-weather months for Meikle Bin 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 Bin?
- 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 Meikle Bin?
- Good. Central belt; EE reliable.
- Is Meikle Bin safe in winter?
- Hard frost in clear winter weather makes for excellent quick walking and the views to the snow-covered Trossachs are first class. Sheet ice can form on the upper basalt sections after a thaw-freeze cycle.
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