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  Schiehallion and neighbours  

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Munros

Schiehallion (1083m, Munro 59)

Corbetts

Beinn a'Chuallaich* (891m)
Meall Tairneachan* (787m)
Farragon Hill* (783m)
 *see Alternative Routes below

Ascent

750m (2460ft)

Distance  

9.5km (6m)

Time

walking : 3:45hr*, running : 1:10hr
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent


Main route summary


Schiehallion is an identifiable peak from many directions. It stands fairly isolated above Rannoch and Tummel, appearing remarkably pointed from the west and almost whale-back in shape from the south and north.

In recent years the John Muir Trust purchased the area and set about tackling the errosion by installing a new path that aims up the eastern side of the hill. Combine this new path with the peak's accessiblity and only 750m of ascent, and you get a popular hill. Mainy a hill-walker has had their first-Munro experience up Schiehallion. It should however be noted that this hill has a fine path up to around c870m, thereafter care is needed while crossing the 2km of boulderfield to the summit. On this boulderfield and in mist, the path can easily be lost, so you will need your navigational wits about you !

If planning to be out for a full day, then selecting one or two of nearby Corbetts will extend the day nicely. Meall Tairneachan and Farragon Hill are accessed by a track that begins less than 5km away and continues onto the moorland between the peaks. Beinn a'Chuallaich sits to the north of Schiehallion with less than 500m of ascent from the roadside

profile
location
start/finish Braes of Foss carpark
(grid ref : NN753556)

maps/guides  OS Landranger 42 - click to buy from Amazon OS Landranger 51 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 386 - click to buy from Amazon Pocket Mountains - Southern Highlands - click to buy from Amazon

GPX data download GPX file of this route

terrain
easy Easy path to c850m, then boulderfield to the summit difficult
navigation
easy Path to c850m, follow the crest thereafter testing
effort
stroll Only 750m ascent - a fine 'first' Munro long day
scenery
ok Fine expansive views from the summit stunning
 
meanings Schiehallion :
    'hill of the fairies'
Farragon Hill :
    'St. Fergan's hill'
Meall Tairneachan :
    'thunder hill'
Beinn a'Chuallaich :
    'hill of the herding'
main route outlineprint route
Getting there
The fairly narrow roads into the area are best accessed from the A9 at either Ballinuig or just north of Pitlochry. Just south of the highest point on the Aberfeldy-Tummel Bridge road (B846), a sign points west to 'Schiehallion Road'. Follow this road for 3km to a car-park by Braes of Foss. In winter this road doesn't seem to be well-gritted !

Schiehallion
From the Braes of Foss car-park, head to its southern end and through a gate to a couple of information boards put up by the John Muir Trust. The old wet route, which is slowly being taken back by nature, used to head around the northern side of the forest seen ahead. The current route heads south around this forest on a well constructed path. The path starts to turn, meets up with a stone fank and crosses an old faint track. It then starts to climb, passing a few stone 'chairs' that make for a fine picnic spot looking onto Meall Tairneachan and over to Beinn a'Ghlo. The path twists as it continues to rise and ends abruptly at around the 870m contour at a fine view looking north. Now on boulderfield, head westwards. A cairn is seen ahead, this is not the summit. Nor is the next one. The boulderfield requires concentration and is at odds with the path left behind. Eventually the slabby summit is reached with its vast and outstanding views. I've been up this hill more than 20 times, and each time I have reached the summit on clear days, I am still stunned by the beauty of the area.

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