Scotland
Meall Chaorach
815M
2674FT
About Meall Chaorach
Rising as a substantial rounded shoulder south of its higher neighbour Beinn a’ Chaorainn, this high Tump offers a quieter perspective on the Lochaber landscape. Its broad, grassy slopes are typical of the central Highlands, rewarding a steady ascent with an excellent vantage point over the winding waters of Loch Laggan.
Key Statistics
Rank
97th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lochaber
Prominence
?
34m
Nearest Town
Fersit
Geology
You are walking on granite-like rocks belonging to the Strath Ossian complex. These stones formed from molten material that cooled and solidified deep underground.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN383757
Latitude
56.8445°N
Longitude
4.6527°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Meall Chaorach, meaning 'hill of the sheep.' It reflects the hill’s character as high-altitude grazing land, lacking the precipitous crags found on the more alpine peaks deeper in the Lochaber ranges.
- •From the summit, the view to the east is dominated by the dramatic 'Window' notch and the massive inland cliffs of Coire Ardair on the Creag Meagaidh massif, providing a sharp contrast to the gentler slopes underfoot.
- •It is most often visited as the first major high point when tackling the ridge from the south, beginning the climb through the forestry tracks near the Roughburn bridge on the A86.
- •Given its name translates to 'Sheep Hill,' a title shared by dozens of other Scottish peaks, it is fortunate the 815-metre elevation helps distinguish it from its less vertical namesakes.