Corbetts near Schiehallion
Beinn a'chuallaich
Ascent : 600m, distance : 6.5km
3km east of Kinloch Rannoch, the B847 climbs uphill and aims north towards Trinafour and Atholl. 2km up this road, at the northern end of a forest plantation, a gate in a deer-fence points the way up this corbett. Go through the gate, past a small white bothy, through another gate, then strike directly uphill. Thick ferns, then heather need crossed. Gradually Beinn a'chuallaich comes into view and the ascent becomes more gentle. Aim for the bealach between Beinn a'chuallaich and Meall nan Eun, and when approaching it, turn south and climb directly to the summit. A trig point and large cairn sit on the top with its commanding view onto Schiehallion.
Head south-east-south on a faint path and start to lose height. At around c600m and on more level ground, aim for a wall at the top of the forest. A path through the heather can be picked up and followed north-east back to the white bothy and to the road.
Meall Tairneachan and Farragon Hill
Ascent : 1100m, distance : 17km
These two corbetts are located just to the east of Schiehallion, and the starting point is just north of the highest point on the Aberfeldy-Tummel Bridge road. As most of the ascent is on a fine track, a bike is recommended.
Park by the access to the track and head on foot or bike uphill - beware, there will be trucks and occasional land-rovers using this track. Ignore the track heading off left, continue directly and enter the forest. The ascent steepens, and if in wet weather, the track will be mucky and near impossible to cycle up - you'll have to push, but it's worth it for later on. Continue up the track, past the end of the forest and climb to c740m. The track then descends a little an travels around the hill to a split in the track with a turning circle. Leave your bike here and turn south-west and climb uphill on heathery ground - you should find a faint path to follow. After a few minutes Meall Tairneachan's stone trig-point will come into view.
Return to your bike, then continue on the track, dropping sharply past the mine, then the huts. On fairly level ground, the track is followed north-eastwards, then eastwards. The track, now much fainter, starts to drop - leave your bike here. The track disappears and from here on there is no track or path to follow - in mist, navigation will be quite testing. Aim east at first and drop slightly. Grass gives way to thick heather as the undulating ground is crossed. Further on the ground steepens for the last climb up pleasant grass to Farragon Hill's summit.
Return by the same route, picking up your bike for a fast and quick descent back to the road.
