Munro · Fife & Perthshire
Meall na Aighean
Meall na Aighean (981m) — also known as Creag Mhòr in some lists — is the easternmost Munro of the Càrn Mairg group on the north side of Glen Lyon, the four-Munro chain often climbed as a horseshoe round from Invervar. The hill is the southernmost and least dramatic of the four, but its position gives perhaps the best southward views across Glen Lyon and Loch Rannoch towards the Mamores and Ben Nevis.
Quick facts
- Height
- 982.1m/ 3222ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 864 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN694496
- Parking
- NN666483
- Nearest city
- Perth
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen approach 25% · Open hillside 45% · Summit 30%
See Càrn Mairg for the standard full four-Munro Invervar horseshoe. Meall na Aighean is the last summit reached on the standard clockwise traverse — climbed via the connecting ridge from Càrn Mairg over a deep bealach. Descent is down the long south ridge directly to Invervar. As a single Munro, the south ridge gives a direct ascent of around 7km return with 850m of climb.
Terrain
The Invervar Burn track is firm peat. Meall na Aighean's south ridge is open hillside on grass and heather, pathless until higher up. The summit forms a small rocky outcrop on a broad upland top. The connecting ridge west to Càrn Mairg involves a deep peat-hagged bealach — slow underfoot. The Glen Lyon road is narrow single-track.
In winter
A reasonably benign Càrn Mairg group winter day. Broad mossy summits gather wind-blown snow but offer few avalanche-prone slopes. The deep bealach connecting to Càrn Mairg drifts heavily. The Glen Lyon road can drift closed in heavy snow. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is the closest regional indicator. Phone reception in the glen is reasonable; absent on the tops.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 48m
- Edinburgh2h 0m
OS maps: OS Landranger 51
Mobile signal: Reasonable signal at Invervar. Signal weakens above 800m. Download maps before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:02
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:05
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall na Aighean.
Around Meall na Aighean on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Blair Atholl station
Beinn a Ghlo; Glen Tilt corridor north to the Cairngorms
24km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aberfeldy
Loch Tay base — Ben Lawers, Tarmachan ridge, Birks of Aberfeldy
16km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy — heart of Dewar's blends; honey-and-heather Highland style
16km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Meall na Aighean — common questions
- How hard is Meall na Aighean?
- Meall na Aighean is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 864m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Invervar Burn track is firm peat.
- Where do I park for Meall na Aighean?
- Standard parking is at NN666483 near Perth. 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 na Aighean?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall na Aighean 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 na Aighean?
- 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 na Aighean?
- Reasonable signal at Invervar. Signal weakens above 800m. Download maps before setting off.
- Is Meall na Aighean safe in winter?
- A reasonably benign Càrn Mairg group winter day. Broad mossy summits gather wind-blown snow but offer few avalanche-prone slopes. The deep bealach connecting to Càrn Mairg drifts heavily. The Glen Lyon road can drift closed in heavy snow. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is the closest regional indicator. Phone reception in the glen is reasonable; absent on the tops.
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