Meall a' Chaorainn

About Meall a' Chaorainn

Standing as a lonely sentinel south of the Fannichs ridge, this rounded Graham offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Munros. Rising from the moorland near Achnasheen, its slopes are a mix of heather and peat hags, leading to a summit with exceptional views across to the Torridon giants and the Loch Fannich hills.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Gaelic Meall a' Chaorainn, meaning 'Hill of the Rowan'. While the windswept upper slopes are now largely bare, the name suggests that rowan trees were once a distinctive feature of the lower burns or sheltered gullies.
• •Because it is classified as a Marilyn—a peak with at least 150 metres of prominence—it stands in relative isolation. This provides an uninterrupted grandstand view of the great southern corries of the Fannichs, particularly the impressive cliffs of Sgùrr nan Clach Geala.
• •Most walkers approach the hill from the south near Achnasheen. The route requires crossing the flat, often saturated floor of the Strath Bran, which can be a test of waterproof footwear before the actual climbing begins on the drier, heathery southern ridge.
• •It is a hill that rewards the patient; you will likely spend more time negotiating the saturated mosses of the approach than admiring the view from the summit, though the latter is significantly more pleasant.