Scotland
Aodann Chleireig
663M
2174FT
About Aodann Chleireig
Tucked north of Loch Arkaig, this steep Graham offers a rugged, largely pathless ascent through classic Highland heather. While frequently overshadowed by the surrounding Munros, the summit provides an exceptionally clear perspective across the Great Glen toward the Ben Nevis massif and the jagged ridges of the Grey Corries.
Key Statistics
Rank
204th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
314.2m
Nearest Town
Fort William
Geology
You are walking on the Tarvie Psammite Formation. This rugged rock was once ancient layers of sand that were compressed and hardened into a solid mountain foundation.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NM994825
Latitude
56.8903°N
Longitude
5.2948°W
Did You Know?
- •Derived from the Gaelic Aodann Chleireig, the name translates as the 'Face of the Little Clerk' or 'Forehead of the Cleric,' likely describing the hill's steep, rounded profile when viewed from the glens below.
- •The hill is frequently climbed in tandem with its eastern neighbour, Meall na h-Eilde, forming a high-level circuit above the remote forests of Glen Mallie.
- •Its position provides a grandstand view of the Rough Bounds of Knoydart to the west, offering a visual survey of Scotland's most inaccessible terrain from a relatively accessible vantage point.
- •Despite being close to the road along Loch Arkaig, the lack of a formal path ensures the slopes remain quiet, often shared only with the local red deer population.
- •The Little Clerk offers a very traditional Scottish greeting, which usually involves testing the water-resistance of your boots against several miles of unrelenting damp heather.