📌 Brèinis, Isle of Lewis
★★★
Mealaisbhal is one of the westernmost summits on the Isle of Lewis. Topping out at 574 metres above sea level, it’s also the island’s highest hill, therefore making a perfect lookout point up and down the coastline, and across the remoter hill ranges surrounding Loch Reonasgall. The climb is rough and mostly pathless: the lower slopes are defended by boggy moorland, while further up the ground becomes increasingly rocky.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at track junction on minor road by Allt Geislir, north side of Brèinis, Isle of Lewis
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NA 993265
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.125227,-7.110005
🚌 Infrequent bus stops at Brèinis (0.5 mi to south), or possibly at walk start by request
🚗 Verge parking – don’t block access or passing places
📝 Key info
▶ 7 km / 4 mi | ▲ 550 m | ⌛ 3-4 hr
Features: △ Mealaisbhal (574 m, sub-2000′ Marilyn)
⬤ Tough | Track at first, then a very boggy grassland / peat hag section. Drier but mostly pathless and rocky for main ascent with boulderfields on the summit.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – Cleite Thotaroil – Mealaisbhal summit – east end of ridge – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Golden plover, meadow pipits.
Weather: Large cloud banks forming to block the sun for periods, sunnier over the sea. Around 10°C, moderate wind high up.
June 2025
