Stuchd an Lochain and Meall Buidhe  

Getting there
Get to Glen Lyon from Killin to the south or Aberfeldy to the east, then head towards Bridge of Balgie where there is a shop and tearoom. Drive west along the narrow road for 4km, to where there is a junction in the road. Turn right and drive up to the end of the road below the dam - deer will often be seen by the roadside. There is ample roadside parking by a notice board, but be careful no to block access to the tracks or dam. The notice board indicates the preferred routes during the stalking season.

Stuchd an Lochain
From where you've parked, follow the road down to the bridge over the Allt Conait, cross it and head up to the southern end of the dam. Just after where the road becomes a track, a small cairn on your left marks the start of a wet path uphill. After an initial short climb, the path levels until it reaches a point directly above the boathouse. The path then turns south-west and climbs steeply over mixed terrain - grass, bog, burns and loose scree. Once the crest of the eastern arm of Creag an Fheadain is reached, the path meets a line of fence-posts travelling east-west and this is followed to the cairn on this minor top. The path and posts turn and drop to a bealach below Sron Chona Choirein. From this bealach, start up towards Sron Chona Choirein, but notice the path veers west away from the fence-posts as the gradient easies - keep to the path rather than following the posts ! The path contours below Sron Chona Choirein's summit and meets up with the fence-posts once more as the bealach below Stuchd an Lochain is approached. One final short pull is required to reach the small cairn on Stuchd an Lochain. Fine views are to be had from this summit, paticularly west towards the Beinn Dorain group.

Return to dam
Don't be tempted to aim directly to the loch and return along the shore, as you'll find the ground soft between the boulders making for tiring progress. The ground above the shore is heather clad and pathless. Instead, I find it best to retrace my steps return by the route taken up.

Meall Buidhe
From the base of the dam, walk around to its northern end. A path continues north to meet up with a track. Cross this track, then on a worn path start to aim uphill. The path becomes sodden and occasionally faint, the wooden posts that aided navigation are now gone ! As heather is reached, the path splits - either branch will do, though I prefer to aim on the western one. This will bring you to a short climb up heather onto a shoulder encircling Coire nam Miseach. The faint path turns north, becomes much drier and more obvious. Further on, the path merges with another coming from the east at around c830m and climbs up a short, but fairly steep incline onto the plateau of Meall Buidhe. Follow the crest to Meall Buidhe's summit with its substantial cairn and fine views.

Return
Return by the same route.