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The hills above Loch an Daimh are not particularly dramatic or outstanding. Although not far from the populated areas of Stirling and Perth, they somehow feel remote and it is this that makes them particularly memorable. Meall Buidhe is the name given to the top of a vast flat area of heather and grass to the north of Loch an Daimh. Stuchd an Lochain is more defined with the summit cairn perched precariously above a craggy drop. Both munro peaks offer fine views, with Meall Buidhe being an excellent vantage point to look over Rannoch.


main route outline

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. Park where convienent, but don't block access to the tracks or dam.

Stuchd an Lochain
From where you've parked, follow the raoad 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 clim, the path levels unti it reaches a point directly above the boathouse. The path 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 ! 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
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, but a couple of wooden posts help mark the route. As heather is reached, the path splits - either branch will do, though I prefer to aim on the western one, which will bring you to a short climb up heather onto the southern arm of Meall a'Phuill. The path turns north and becomes much drier and more obvious. Follow this to below Meall a'Phuill, where another path is met coming from the east. Climb up a short, but fairly steep incline onto the plateau of Meall Buidhe and follow the crest to Meall Buidhe's summit with its substantial cairn.

Return
Return by the same route.

shorter alternatives

Meall Buidhe with Cam Chreag
Cam Chreag lies to the east of Meall Buidhe and can easily be included with the Munro or tackled on its own. On its own it is probably best approached from Innerwick to the east in Glen Lyon, where there is ample parking by a notice board and cairn. To include it with Meall Buidhe, just head east from Meall a'Phuill and drop to the Carn Lairig Meachdainn, then climb the grassy slopes to the summit. Return to the Lairig, then aim over grass and heather directly back to the dam.

Total distance : 13km (8m), total ascent : 800m (2,625ft)


Stuchd an Lochain with two corbetts, Meall Buidhe and Sron a'Choire Chnapanich
The semi-abandoned cottages of Pubil lie 1km east of the Loch Lyon Dam. Start from here and head up the track past the houses. At its highest point (c500m), leave the track, cross the Allt Phuibuill and aim up Meall Phubuill. Grassy terrain continues west to a bealach, from where the route is is obvious up to Meall Buidhe's eastern arm and eventually to its summit.

Return east and drop to cross the Feith Thalain and climb to the bealach below Sron a'Choire Chnapanich. Some bog and more grass lead to this corbett's summit. South from this summit leads to yet another bealach, from where turn north-east and climb up Meall an Odhar, picking up a line of fence-posts to follow to Stuchd an Lochain's summit.

Leave the munro summit and follow the path down the south-east side to the bealach before Sron Chona Choirein. Turn south-west and drop on grassy ground towards An Grianan and eventually the road 1km east of Pubil.

Total distance : 18km (11m), total ascent : 1400m (4,600ft)