Meall a Bhainne

Meall a' Bhainne (591 m) rises above Braemore Junction in the north-west Highlands, offering wonderful west-coast scenery — sweeping views towards An Teallach and the sea beyond, a large flat expanse of moorland out in front, and an extensive plateau behind before the bigger Fannichs. The combination of topography and location makes for great soaring or thermal flying in the right conditions. It's a northerly site — NE to NW breezes work — and lies at the head of Loch Broom sea loch, so a sea breeze often kicks in during summer afternoons.

Launch & conditions

From the parking area, through the gate and pick the easiest line south-east across rough boggy ground to reach the hill. Either climb directly through the bands of small crags and terraces, or take a gentler line just to the south and cut back to the takeoff area near the high point. When soarable, launch is often possible from lower down.

Getting there & local rules

Turn off the A835 at Braemore Junction, 11 miles south of Ullapool, onto the A832 Gairloch coastal road. At 2.5 miles after the junction, just before the bridge where the A832 crosses the Abhainn Cuileig, there's a rough parking area on the left with room for a couple of cars. Do not obstruct the gate that gives access to the dam and hill track. Landings: possible anywhere, but for convenience most pilots bottom-land near the car parking area.

Local rules & hazards

Site is inside the Highland Restricted Area (HRA) — midweek flying is subject to strict airspace restrictions. Sea breeze from Loch Broom often kicks in during summer afternoons — plan around it.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Meall a Bhainne, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Meall a Bhainne with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.