Munro · Fife & Perthshire
Meall Buidhe
Meall Buidhe (932m) — the upper Glen Lyon version, distinct from the Knoydart Munro of the same name — is the broad, golden-grassed Munro east of Loch an Daimh in upper Glen Lyon. The hill is paired with Stuchd an Lochain across the Giorra dam, the two often combined on a short Glen Lyon round. Where Stuchd an Lochain has a dramatic north corrie, Meall Buidhe is a gentle whaleback summit with extensive grassland.
Gaelic: “rounded hill, yellow” · Pronunciation: myowl boo-yeh
Quick facts
- Height
- 932.1m/ 3058ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 820 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN498499
- Parking
- NN511464
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Dam road 30% · Open hillside 45% · Summit plateau 25%
See Stuchd an Lochain for the standard approach to the Giorra dam in upper Glen Lyon. From the dam climb the broad north-east ridge of Meall Buidhe directly to the summit cairn. The hill is short and gentle; most parties tag on Stuchd an Lochain to the west across the dam. The pair total around 13km with 980m of climb.
Terrain
The Giorra dam sits at the road end. Meall Buidhe's north-east ridge climbs broad heather and short grass with a thin braided path. A modest cairn marks the broad flat summit top. The hill has no scrambling difficulty and the views over Loch an Daimh to Stuchd an Lochain are fine.
In winter
A reasonably benign upper Glen Lyon winter Munro. The wide summit collects heavy drift but rarely produces avalanche-prone slopes. The narrow single-track Glen Lyon road is drift-prone. In normal conditions Giorra dam parking remains accessible. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is the relevant forecast area; mobile reception fades above 700m.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 48m
- Edinburgh2h 17m
OS maps: OS Landranger 51
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m. The Glen Lyon road has intermittent coverage near Bridge of Balgie. Download maps before the drive.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:30
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:27
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall Buidhe.
Around Meall Buidhe on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall Buidhe — common questions
- How hard is Meall Buidhe?
- Meall Buidhe is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 820m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Giorra dam sits at the road end.
- Where do I park for Meall Buidhe?
- Standard parking is at NN511464 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Meall Buidhe?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall Buidhe are 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 Buidhe?
- 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 Buidhe?
- No signal above 700m. The Glen Lyon road has intermittent coverage near Bridge of Balgie. Download maps before the drive.
- Is Meall Buidhe safe in winter?
- A reasonably benign upper Glen Lyon winter Munro. The wide summit collects heavy drift but rarely produces avalanche-prone slopes. The narrow single-track Glen Lyon road is drift-prone. In normal conditions Giorra dam parking remains accessible. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is the relevant forecast area; mobile reception fades above 700m.
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