Scotland
Meikle Balloch Hill
366M
1201FT
About Meikle Balloch Hill
Rising above the town of Keith on the Moray-Aberdeenshire border, this prominent Marilyn is defined by its extensive forestry and well-maintained tracks. While the plantation dominates the lower slopes, the summit clearings offer a sharp perspective over the Moray Firth and the distinctive profile of nearby Ben Rinnes.
Key Statistics
Rank
218th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Isle of Skye
Prominence
?
193m
Nearest Town
Horntowie
Geology
You are walking on the Corryhabbie Quartzite Formation. This hill is made of quartzite, a very hard and durable rock that provides a solid foundation underfoot.
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NJ471495
Latitude
57.5327°N
Longitude
2.8849°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a linguistic hybrid: 'Meikle' is Scots for great or large, while 'Balloch' stems from the Gaelic bealach, signifying a pass or opening between hills.
- •Much of the hill is covered by the Bin Forest, a sprawling plantation where sheltered gravel tracks provide a reliable route to the top regardless of the season.
- •The summit provides a clear northern outlook across the coastal plain of Moray towards the Moray Firth, with the Morven peak in Caithness occasionally visible on the horizon.
- •Due to the density of the commercial timber, the summit trig point can feel surprisingly isolated until you step into the clearings to see the nearby Tap o' Noth to the south.
- •Navigating the dense sitka spruce can be a challenge; the hill is a place where your compass is often less useful than a good pair of eyes for spotting the correct fire break.