Cnoc na Croiche (Ullapool Hill), Meall Mor & Loch Achall - Thursday 10 April 2025
Route
Ullapool - Cnoc na Croiche - Meall Mor - Loch Achall - Morefield Quarry - Ullapool
Parking
Plenty of parking in Ullapool, both free and Pay & Display
Mileage
6.7 miles
Terrain
Moorland paths, tracks with some road walking on quiet lanes/roads
Weather
Sunny but with a strong breeze on the summit of Meall Mor
Time Taken
3hrs
Total Ascent
1130ft (344m)
Map
OS Explorer 436 - Beinn Dearg & Loch Fannich
Walkers
Dave & Angie
Ullapool - Cnoc na Croiche - Meall Mor - Loch Achall - Morefield Quarry - Ullapool
Parking
Plenty of parking in Ullapool, both free and Pay & Display
Mileage
6.7 miles
Terrain
Moorland paths, tracks with some road walking on quiet lanes/roads
Weather
Sunny but with a strong breeze on the summit of Meall Mor
Time Taken
3hrs
Total Ascent
1130ft (344m)
Map
OS Explorer 436 - Beinn Dearg & Loch Fannich
Walkers
Dave & Angie
GPX Files
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
Route Map
The glorious view down Loch Broom from the harbour at Ullapool
Looking to the Ullapool Ferry Terminal from the harbour frontage
The ferry service is run by Caledonian MacBrayne and connects the town with the Isle of Lewis (Stornoway)
The ferry service is run by Caledonian MacBrayne and connects the town with the Isle of Lewis (Stornoway)
Alongside in Ullapool was the vessel "Altaire". Despite looking a bit like "Daddy's Yacht" the impressive looking ship is actually a fishing vessel. Commissioned in 2023, she is based in Shetland and operates with a crew of 12.
Altaire alongside in Ullapool
Ullapool was developed for the herring trade boom in the late 18th century. The town was designed by Thomas Telford who built the Caledonian Canal and before then it was a small hamlet of just over 20 households. When herring stocks dwindled the fishermen moved on to mackerel and when that declined the focus turned to lobsters and prawns. Ullapool has weathered the changes and the harbour is still used as a fishing port, yachting haven, and ferry port.
Ullapool was developed for the herring trade boom in the late 18th century. The town was designed by Thomas Telford who built the Caledonian Canal and before then it was a small hamlet of just over 20 households. When herring stocks dwindled the fishermen moved on to mackerel and when that declined the focus turned to lobsters and prawns. Ullapool has weathered the changes and the harbour is still used as a fishing port, yachting haven, and ferry port.
Pull up a bollard and I'll tell you some sea ditties
From the harbour the route heads along the main road out of Ullapool towards Inverness
Just past the petrol station the Royal Hotel is reached - the route crosses the access road and passes in front of the hotel
Slightly off route and a very short distance along the main road is Ullapool's War Memorial
Returning to the hotel, a sign points the way to Cnoc na Croiche (Ullapool Hill)
Just past the hotel car park another sign points the way alongside a fence
The path eventually opens out and heads up the hillside towards Cnoc na Croiche with the reward of a fine panorama over Ullapool
T shirts? April? In the Highlands of Scotland??
Looking down Loch Broom from the slopes of Cnoc na Croiche
Approaching the viewpoint on Cnoc na Croiche
The toposcope just below the summit of Cnoc na Croiche
Approaching the summit of Cnoc na Croiche
Superb view back over Loch Broom
Looking down Loch Broom to Sgurr Mor and Beinn Dearg
Looking back to Ullapool from Meall Mor with Beinn Ghobhlach to the right
Ben Mor Coigach, Cul Mor & Cul Beag from Meall Mor
The summit of Meall Mor and a rather early wild camper - he was pitched just before 1600 and had clearly been here a while
From Meall Mor we descenced towards Loch Achall via the upper slopes of Creagan Mora
Dropping down to a road we crossed the Ullapool River. The road is the link with Ullapool for the properties in Glen Achall.
The Ullapool River and Eas Dubh waterfall from the bridge
Looking down Loch Achall
The freshwater loch is long & narrow and at its widest point is 1900ft (579m). The loch is fed by the Rivers Rhidorroch and Allt a'Ghiubhais, while the Ullapool River flows from its western end towards Loch Broom.
The freshwater loch is long & narrow and at its widest point is 1900ft (579m). The loch is fed by the Rivers Rhidorroch and Allt a'Ghiubhais, while the Ullapool River flows from its western end towards Loch Broom.
The outflow of Loch Achall which becomes the Ullapool River
So dangerous that it's invisible
Heading along the Ullapool River on our return to the town
Passing above Morefield Quarry which is run by Breedon and provides ready mixed concrete & aggregate
Another sign for the chronically stupid
Approaching Ullapool - whilst a short distance, this was an extremely enjoyable late afternoon stroll
Loch Broom once more
Altaire still alongside as we arrive back at the harbour - I think it's time for Fish & Chips