Meall Beag

About Meall Beag

Sitting at the southeastern tip of Suilven’s iconic, narrow ridge, this rugged summit offers a wilder, more technical perspective than its famous neighbor, Caisteal Liath. Reaching it requires a scramble from the central bealach, rewarding hillwalkers with an intimate look at the mountain’s dramatic Torridonian sandstone architecture and the lochan-scattered Inverpolly wilderness below.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from Scottish Gaelic, translating simply as 'Little Round Hill.' In the context of Suilven’s distinct profile, it serves as the smaller, tapering end of the ridge compared to the 'Middle Round Hill' (Meall Meadhonach) and the 'Grey Castle' (Caisteal Liath).
• •Unlike the relatively straightforward path to Suilven's main summit, reaching Meall Beag involves tackling more complex terrain or finding specific lines through steep, broken ground from the central Bealach Mor. It is often omitted by those visiting the main peak, making it a much quieter spot.
• •The hill is composed of billion-year-old Torridonian sandstone sitting on a basement of even older Lewisian Gneiss. This geological contrast creates the unique 'island' effect of the Assynt hills, where individual peaks rise abruptly from a flat, watery plain of ancient rock.
• •From the summit, the view south is dominated by the jagged silhouette of Stac Pollaidh and the massive bulk of Cul Mor, while looking north reveals the full, steep-sided length of the Suilven ridge stretching toward the Atlantic.
• •It is the 'Little Round Hill' only by comparison to its neighbours; anyone standing at the base of its near-vertical southern cliffs would likely find the name a somewhat modest understatement.