Scotland
Meikle Pap
979M
3212FT
About Meikle Pap
Guarding the entrance to the spectacular northern corrie of Lochnagar, this conical Munro Top offers the definitive view of the mountain’s famous granite precipices. While the main summit is higher, this rocky peak provides a superior perspective of the Black Toun and Lochan na Gaire, making it a rewarding, characterful detour.
Key Statistics
Rank
19th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lochaber
Prominence
?
62m
Nearest Town
Spittal of Glenmuick
Geology
This ridge is built from pale granite, part of a massive body of molten rock that cooled and hardened deep within the earth.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NO259860
Latitude
56.9593°N
Longitude
3.2201°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a hybrid of the Scots word 'meikle', meaning large or great, and 'pap', a term used across Scotland for a distinctive, breast-shaped hill. It stands in contrast to the smaller 'Little Pap' located lower down on the eastern slopes of the Lochnagar massif.
- •Although nearly 200 metres lower than the main summit of Lochnagar (Cac Carn Beag), this is widely considered the best vantage point for mountaineers. It provides a head-on perspective of the massive granite cliffs and the steep climbing lines of the Douglas-Gibson Gully.
- •The hill is a popular 'optional extra' for those tackling the White Mounth circuit, a 29km loop of five Munros. The summit is reached via a short, steep, and boulder-strewn path from the bealach at the top of the 'Ladder' path from Glen Muick.
- •From the summit, the view to the north extends across the Dee Valley toward the high plateau of the Cairngorms, with the distinctive profiles of Beinn a' Bhùird and Ben Avon clearly visible on a clear day.
- •It serves as an excellent diagnostic tool for walkers; if the short, sharp pull from the bealach to the top of the Pap leaves you struggling, the remaining twelve miles of the White Mounth circuit will be a very sobering experience.