Scotland
Meallan Liath
600M
1968FT
About Meallan Liath
Situated in the rugged solitude of the North West Highlands, this broad, rocky ridge sits in the shadow of Ben Hope. At 599.7 metres, it misses Graham status by the narrowest of margins, offering a quiet, pathless alternative to its famous neighbour with expansive views over the Moine and Loch Hope.
Key Statistics
Rank
103rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
North West Highlands
Prominence
?
147.3m
Nearest Town
Allt na Caillich
Geology
You are walking on the Altnaharra Psammite Formation. This foundation consists of compressed, sandy rocks and layers containing glinting, shiny minerals.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Meallan Liath NE Top
Meallan Liath NE Top
Carn a' Mhadaidh
Creag Riabhach Mhor
Creag Riabhach Mhor
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NC514503
Latitude
58.4164°N
Longitude
4.5446°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Meallan Liath, translating as 'little grey rounded hill,' an apt description of its weathered quartzite and lichen-covered summit terrain.
- •Falling short of the 2,000ft Graham threshold by only ten metres, the hill receives very little foot traffic compared to Ben Hope, resulting in a distinct lack of established paths and a true sense of Sutherland wilderness.
- •The summit offers a starkly different perspective of Ben Hope’s massive western face, as well as a clear view across the vast peatlands of the Moine towards the distant Kyle of Tongue.
- •Its specific height of 599.7 metres makes it a slightly frustrating ascent for those who strictly follow the 600-metre contour line, missing out on major classification status by a fraction of a step.