A two year GEOSAT radar altimeter dataset has been analysed by repeat profile methods to produce mesoscale variability maps of the North East Atlantic. Significant differences have been found between maps produced using two different ocean tide models for corrections to the sea surface height measurements. The area of the Iceland-Faeroes Front is particularly affected. Large values of sea surface height variability found here when the Schwiderski ocean tide model is used, are considerably reduced when a model developed by Flather is used. The latter model is known to be more accurate overall for the north east Atlantic region. The fact that model errors can produce mesoscale variability values larger than those expected from the frontal processes emphasises once again the need for a general improvement in tidal knowledge. ¿American Geophysical Union 1990