Meallan Odhar

Situated just north of the Cluanie Inn, this rounded shoulder provides a rugged gateway to the high peaks of the North Shiel ridge. Its heather-clad slopes offer a manageable ascent, opening up striking views across the deep waters of Loch Cluanie toward the jagged skyline of the South Shiel Forest.

• •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Meallan Odhar, which translates as 'the small dun-coloured hill', a reference to the muted brown grasses and mosses that dominate the slopes in winter and early spring.
• •While often treated as a mere stepping stone towards the Munro A' Chràlaig, the summit provides a unique vantage point to inspect the massive, craggy eastern corries of its higher neighbour.
• •From the top, walkers gain a clear, unobstructed sightline south-east across the glen to the steep, narrow profile of Creag a' Mhaim, the easternmost peak of the famed South Shiel ridge.
• •Its position directly above a major mountain pass makes it a popular choice for a quick leg-stretcher, though its proximity to the Cluanie Inn means the descent is often tackled with considerably more haste than the climb.