Scotland
Meall Innis an Loichel
390M
1280FT
About Meall Innis an Loichel
This rugged Marilyn rises above the southern shores of Upper Loch Torridon, offering a manageable but pathless ascent through classic North West Highland heather and rock. While modest in height, its position provides an exceptional perspective on the Torridon giants, particularly the sprawling sandstone mass of Beinn Alligin across the water.
Key Statistics
Rank
304th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
171m
Nearest Town
Monar Lodge
Geology
This fell is part of the Glenfinnan Group, made of psammite. This is an ancient sandstone that was hardened and transformed deep within the Earth’s crust.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH204389
Latitude
57.4054°N
Longitude
4.9909°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Gaelic Meall Innis an Loichel, which translates as the 'hill of the pasture of the Loichel'. In this landscape, an 'innis' typically refers to a sheltered area of better grazing or a resting place for cattle amongst the surrounding rock.
- •The summit serves as a remarkable grandstand for the Torridon mountains, offering a clear view of the Horns of Alligin and the tiered ramparts of Liathach across the loch.
- •Despite its relatively low elevation, the terrain is characteristically rough; what looks like a short stroll on a map involves navigating a complex mosaic of peat hags, hidden gullies, and Lewisian gneiss outcrops.
- •Sitting on the peninsula between Shieldaig and Torridon, the hill's isolation gives it a prominence of over 200 metres, earning its status as a Marilyn.
- •Navigating the pathless, heather-choked slopes ensures that while you are only at 390 metres, your ankles will feel as though you have tackled a much larger mountain.