Meall Dheirgidh

Rising above the Rhidorroch Forest north of Ullapool, this rounded Marilyn offers a sense of isolation far greater than its modest 506-metre height suggests. The terrain is typical of the North West Highlands—rugged, heathery, and largely pathless—rewarding those who venture here with a quiet, undisturbed perspective of the Assynt frontier.

• •The name Meall Dheirgidh is derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'meall', meaning a rounded hill, and 'dearg', meaning red. It translates as the 'reddish rounded hill', likely a reference to the seasonal hue of the grasses and heather or the underlying Torridonian sandstone common to this region.
• •From the summit, the view to the west is dominated by the sprawling mouth of Loch Broom and the Summer Isles, while the distinctive silhouettes of Suilven and Stac Pollaidh rise sharply to the north across the Inverpolly wilderness.
• •Despite its status as a Marilyn, the hill receives few visitors compared to the nearby Munros, meaning walkers are likely to share the slopes only with red deer and the occasional golden eagle.
• •While its height suggests a quick afternoon stroll, the absence of established paths and the standard Highland cocktail of deep bog and thick heather ensures you will work for every one of those 506 metres.