Meall a Bhainne

From the parking area, go through the gate and pick the easiest line in a south easterly direction across rough and boggy ground to reach the hill. Either follow a direct line up through the bands of small crags and terraces, or take a slightly less strenuous route up somewhat gentler slopes just to the south, before cutting back across to the a take off area near the high point of the hill. When soarable it is often possible to take off from slightly lower down the hillside.

The heathery slopes of Meall a' Bhainne (591m) just above Braemore Junction make an excellent flying site. The area has fabulous views west towards An Teallach and the sea beyond and the hill boasts a large flat expanse of moorland out in front, together with extensive plateau behind before the bigger hills of the Fannichs. This combination of topography and location can give the paraglider pilot a great soaring or thermalling experience amongst some wonderful west coast scenery.

This is a site for a north-easterly through to north-westerly breeze. It can offer both good soaring and, on a nice sunny day, excellent thermic flying too. Meall a' Bhainne lies at the head of the Loch Broom sea loch and so often experiences a sea breeze which pushes inland along the loch and directly onto the hill. The site is positioned in such a way as to act as a gateway to the bigger hills of the Fannichs, with the main road through Glen Carron lying 15km over the back.

Takeoff altitude: 580m