DESCRIPTION

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.

ACTIVITIES

- paragliding
- hike
- soaring
- thermals
- xc

access

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 a bridge where the A832 crosses the Abhainn Cuileig river, there is a rough parking area on the left with room for a couple of cars. Park here, taking care not to obstruct the gate which provides access to the dam and hill track.

regulation

This area lies within the constraints of the Highland Restricted Area (HRA) and midweek flying is subject to strict restrictions.