Scotland
Meall an Tarsaid
492M
1615FT
About Meall an Tarsaid
Rising above the southern reaches of Fort Augustus, this rounded Grampian Marilyn offers a quieter alternative to the Great Glen Way. The terrain is characteristically heathery and often boggy, rewarding those who navigate its pathless slopes with clear, commanding views down the length of Loch Ness and across to the Monadhliath mountains.
Key Statistics
Rank
398th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
154.7m
Nearest Town
Whitebridge
Geology
You’re walking across the Loch Laggan Psammite Formation. These tough, glittery rocks are a type of compressed sandstone that form the sturdy foundation of this hill.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH491130
Latitude
57.1829°N
Longitude
4.4982°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic Meall an Tarsaid, meaning 'Hill of the Transverse' or 'Crosswise Hill,' likely describing its alignment relative to the surrounding glens.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the southern end of Loch Ness and the village of Fort Augustus, a perspective often missed by those staying on the lower valley trails.
- •Its classification as a Marilyn—a hill with a drop of at least 150 metres on all sides—means it offers a sense of isolation and scale that belies its modest 492-metre height.
- •Navigation here requires a keen eye; the broad, undulating plateau can become a disorienting sea of heather and peat hags when the Highland mist rolls in from the Great Glen.