Meall an Tarmachain

About Meall an Tarmachain

Rising above the eastern reaches of Glen Roy, this substantial Tump offers a quieter alternative to the busy Lochaber peaks. The ascent reveals the dramatic geological "Parallel Roads" of the glen below, providing a front-row seat to the massive southern profiles of the Grey Corries and the Easains across the Spean valley.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •Its name is derived from the Gaelic "Meall an Tarmachain," meaning "Hill of the Ptarmigan." True to its title, these hardy birds are frequently spotted on the higher ground, their plumage changing from mottled brown to snowy white as the seasons shift.
• •The western slopes overlook the "Parallel Roads" of Glen Roy. These three distinct horizontal terraces are the prehistoric shorelines of an ice-dammed lake from the last Ice Age, a site so geologically significant it once drew the attention of Charles Darwin.
• •The hill is most commonly climbed from the south via the remote track through Brae Roy, often paired with the neighbouring summit of Meall na h-Eilde to complete a long, high-level circuit above the River Turret.
• •A careful reading of the map is advised before setting off; sharing a near-identical name with a popular Munro sixty miles to the south ensures this summit remains blissfully quiet, provided you have arrived at the correct one.