Scotland
Meall an Spardain
651M
2134FT
About Meall an Spardain
Overlooking the upper reaches of the River Spey, this rounded Monadhliath summit offers a quiet, pathless alternative to the busier Corrieyairack Pass. The terrain is characteristically heathery and peat-scarred, rewarding a rough ascent with clear perspectives of the sprawling Creag Meagaidh massif across the glen to the south.
Key Statistics
Rank
212th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
40.3m
Nearest Town
Kinloch Hourn
Geology
You are walking on the Lochailort Pelite Formation. This landscape is built from ancient silt and mud that compressed into hard, solid rock.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NG941006
Latitude
57.0503°N
Longitude
5.3963°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Meall an Spardain', which translates as 'Hill of the Roost' or 'Hill of the Perch', likely referring to its position as a prominent lookout point above the surrounding moorland.
- •The hill sits directly north of the historic Corrieyairack Pass, the high-altitude military road constructed by General Wade in 1731 to connect Dalwhinnie with Fort Augustus.
- •From the summit, walkers gain an excellent profile view of the 'Window' at Creag Meagaidh, the distinctive notch that sits between the crags of Coire Ardair and the plateau above.
- •The ground between the summit and the Corrieyairack track is a masterclass in Scottish peat hags; it is an ideal destination for those who find walking on solid ground a bit too predictable.