Scotland
Meall a' Chleirich
628M
2060FT
About Meall a' Chleirich
Rising above the Dirrie More road near Ullapool, this rugged North West Highland peak offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Fannichs. Its heathery slopes provide a steady ascent to a summit plateau that yields striking views across the deep trough of Loch Broom and towards the jagged skyline of An Teallach.
Key Statistics
Rank
92nd Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
107.4m
Nearest Town
West Merkland
Geology
You are walking on the Altnaharra Formation. This durable rock, known as psammite, was formed from ancient sands that were compressed and hardened into tough, gritty stone.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NC407365
Latitude
58.2886°N
Longitude
4.7184°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Scottish Gaelic, with Meall a' Chleirich translating as 'Hill of the Cleric'. While the specific individual is lost to history, such names usually denote land once held as grazing rights by the church or a landmark used by ministers traveling between remote parishes.
- •The summit offers a privileged perspective on the 'Great Wilderness' of the Fannichs to the south, providing an excellent vantage point to study the massive northern corries of Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich and Sgùrr Mòr.
- •Often paired with the nearby Meall Doire Faid, the hill is frequently accessed from the A835 near the Braemore Junction, though it remains far less frequented than the higher Munros nearby.
- •The terrain is classically Ross-shire; expect the kind of deep, unforgiving heather and hidden boggy hollows that make even a short approach feel like a full-day expedition.