Meall a' Bhainne

Rising above the northern shores of Loch Eil, this rugged Graham-height hill offers a quieter alternative to the crowded peaks near Fort William. The ascent through the Fassfern estate involves navigating rough heather and peat hags, rewarding walkers with a commanding perspective of the Ben Nevis massif and the jagged Ardgour skyline.

• •The name Meall a' Bhainne translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Hill of the Milk', a common descriptive name for a summit where the grazing on the lower slopes was considered particularly rich for livestock.
• •Despite its modest height, the summit offers an exceptional vantage point for studying the steep southern flank of Gulvain and the long, shimmering reach of Loch Eil stretching towards the Atlantic.
• •To the south-west, the view is dominated by the sharp, alpine profile of Garbh Bheinn in Ardgour, while the massive northern precipices of Ben Nevis are visible to the east across the Great Glen.
• •The hill is frequently climbed alongside its neighbor, Meall na h-Eilde, as part of a circuit starting from the forest tracks of Gleann Suileag.
• •While the name suggests a land of plenty, the reality on the ground is largely a mosaic of deep heather and damp moss; any milk required for your summit tea must be carried up from the glen.