Munro · kintail
Meall Buidhe
Meall Buidhe (946m) — "yellow hill" — is the easternmost of the three Knoydart Munros (with Ladhar Bheinn and Luinne Bheinn), a broad whaleback summit above Loch Nevis. Together with Luinne Bheinn it makes the classic two-Munro Knoydart day from Inverie or via the Sourlies bothy approach. The hill is one of the more accessible Knoydart Munros but still requires the long ferry-and-walk approach via Inverie.
Gaelic: “rounded hill, yellow” · Pronunciation: myowl boo-yeh
Quick facts
- Height
- 945.5m/ 3102ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 832 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM848989
- Parking
- NM764995
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
Glen path 35% · Open hillside 40% · Summit 25%
Take the Western Isles Cruises ferry from Mallaig to Inverie. From Inverie walk east on the long estate track up Gleann Meadail and over the Mam Meadail pass to the foot of the hills. Climb Meall Buidhe via its broad north-west ridge — a sustained but easy climb. Most parties combine with Luinne Bheinn on the same day. The pair total roughly 26km return from Inverie with 1300m of climb.
Terrain
The Inverie estate path through Gleann Meadail is firm in places, boggy in others — a long approach to the hills. The Mam Meadail pass is broad and grassy. The north-west ridge of Meall Buidhe is sustained heather and short grass with no scrambling. The summit is a small cairn on a rocky knoll with views across Loch Nevis to Morar and the Sound of Sleat. The connecting ridge to Luinne Bheinn is broad with peat hags.
In winter
A serious remote Knoydart winter expedition. The Mallaig–Inverie ferry runs subject to weather and timetable in winter — check sailings carefully. Once committed there is no rescue infrastructure within reach. The wide whaleback summit accumulates heavy drift, and the lengthy approach in winter daylight is significant commitment. Knoydart has no mobile reception anywhere. SAIS Northern Highlands applies as the closest formal forecast.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 56m
- Edinburgh4h 37m
Ferry access
Mallaig → Inverie (Knoydart)
- Crossing time45 min
- Summer sailingsMon–Sat, 2–3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct, Western Isles Cruises)
- Winter sailingsMon/Wed/Fri only (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead3 days
- Last ferry backLast ferry from Inverie ~17:30 (check Western Isles Cruises timetable)
Knoydart is a roadless peninsula — not an island, but accessible only by ferry or a very long walk (18+ km over difficult terrain). Day trips to Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean are achievable in summer. For Ladhar Bheinn, base yourself overnight at Inverie.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: No signal in Knoydart. Plan your route before the ferry from Mallaig — no coverage at any point on the peninsula.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:31
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:16
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 832m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Inverie estate path through Gleann Meadail is firm in places, boggy in others — a long approach to the hills.
- Where do I park for Meall Buidhe?
- Standard parking is at NM764995 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. 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 in Knoydart. Plan your route before the ferry from Mallaig — no coverage at any point on the peninsula.
- How do I get the ferry to Meall Buidhe?
- Mallaig → Inverie (Knoydart). Mon–Sat, 2–3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct, Western Isles Cruises) in summer; Mon/Wed/Fri only (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 3 days ahead. Knoydart is a roadless peninsula — not an island, but accessible only by ferry or a very long walk (18+ km over difficult terrain). Day trips to Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean are achievable in summer. For Ladhar Bheinn, base yourself overnight at Inverie.
- Is Meall Buidhe safe in winter?
- A serious remote Knoydart winter expedition. The Mallaig–Inverie ferry runs subject to weather and timetable in winter — check sailings carefully. Once committed there is no rescue infrastructure within reach. The wide whaleback summit accumulates heavy drift, and the lengthy approach in winter daylight is significant commitment. Knoydart has no mobile reception anywhere. SAIS Northern Highlands applies as the closest formal forecast.
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