Scotland
Meall Odhar Mor
892M
2925FT
About Meall Odhar Mor
Tucked away in the high ground of the Gaick Forest, this rounded, heathery shoulder offers a quieter, more expansive perspective than the busier peaks nearby. It presents a characteristically wild Highland plateau, where the terrain is defined by vast stretches of moorland and the quiet isolation of the central Grampians.
Key Statistics
Rank
16th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Data coming soon
Prominence
?
34m
Nearest Town
Dalwhinnie
Geology
The ground here is the Gaick Psammite Formation. It is made of hard, sandy rock that was toughened by heat and pressure deep underground.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN681803
Latitude
56.8952°N
Longitude
4.1665°W
Did You Know?
- •The name comes from the Gaelic 'Meall Odhar Mòr', which translates as the 'Big Dun Hill'. This refers to the brownish-grey or 'drab' colour of the heather and grasses that clothe its slopes, a hue typical of the peat-rich Drumochter and Gaick landscapes.
- •Located in the heart of the Gaick Forest, the hill is part of a remote estate historically famous for its deer stalking and the 'Gaick Catastrophe' of 1800, when an avalanche destroyed a local lodge.
- •The summit offers a specific and commanding view west across the deep trench of the A9 corridor to the massive, flat-topped silhouettes of the Ben Alder range and the shimmering length of Loch Ericht.
- •To the east, the view looks down into the steep-sided trough of the Gaick Pass, where the waters of Loch an t-Seilich and Loch Bhrodainn sit deep between the surrounding hills.
- •The plateau serves as a stern test of navigational resolve; in a whiteout or thick mist, the lack of distinct features amongst the peat hags makes finding the highest point a matter of trust in one's compass rather than one's eyes.