Scotland
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh
698M
2291FT
About Meall Fuar-mhonaidh
Rising steeply above the western shores of Loch Ness, this prominent Graham offers arguably the finest perspective of the Great Glen. The ascent from Grotaig is straightforward but notoriously boggy in places. Reaching the summit rewards you with a panoramic sweep from Ben Nevis to the distant peaks of Glen Affric.
Key Statistics
Rank
107th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
233m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are trekking across the Mealfuarvonie Sandstone Member, a rugged mix of gritty sand and pebbly rock. These layers form the solid foundation of the peak.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH457222
Latitude
57.2643°N
Longitude
4.5601°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is Gaelic, with 'Meall' meaning a rounded hill and 'Fuar-mhonaidh' translating as 'cold moor'. It is a fitting description for a peak that stands exposed to the winds whipping along the Great Glen.
- •From the summit, you can see almost the entire 23-mile length of Loch Ness stretching towards Inverness, alongside the sprawling plateau of the Monadhliath mountains to the east and the sharp peaks of the Strathfarrar Forest to the north.
- •Despite its modest height, its topographical isolation makes it a Marilyn. This prominence is why it appears so dominant when viewed from popular tourist spots like Urquhart Castle or the southern end of the loch at Fort Augustus.
- •The standard approach begins near the end of the road at Grotaig, following a path that eventually gives way to a section of classic Highland peat bog before the final, firmer pull to the trig point.
- •Local walkers often joke that 'Fuar-mhonaidh' is Gaelic for 'Hill of the Wet Feet', given the legendary depth of the peat hags that await anyone attempting the climb after a typical week of Scottish rainfall.