Beinn a' Chuallaich from the B847

Hut and views to Meall Tairneachan

By Calvine, a few miles west of Blair Atholl, the B847 heads westwards from a junction on the A9. Travelling through Glen Errochty, this narrow road climbs over moorland to then drop down to Dunalastair Reservoir by Loch Rannoch.

The hillwalking route to Beinn a' Chuallaich begins from the highest point on the road, where on a sharp bend, there is room to park a couple of vehicles.

Should parking be unavailable at the corner, there is more parking around 200m further south on the road by the entrance to some forestry.

Old wall below Coire Odhar

From the corner on the highest point on the road, head through a gate on the opposite (north) side of the road and into a field (there may be livestock in here). Climb up a gentle grass-covered slope and drop down to an old corrugated metal shack by a mucky path.

On the path, cross some soggy ground and a minor burn, then thead through a gate in an old dilapidated fence-line, turn south-west on the now rough path as it follows the edge of forestry.

An opening in the forest with a house is passed, shortly after which a couple of minor burns are easily crossed. Once over the burns, turn uphill and begin hiking on a steep, grass covered slope.

As gradient gradually levels out a bit, grass gives way to heather and an old stone wall is met.

Over the wall, faint animal trods can be found to ease the effort of bounding through deep heather while hiking uphill and north-west towards Coire Odhar below Beinn a' Chuallaich. Into the coire, begin to turn in a more westerly direction and hike up the fall-line of the hillside ahead.

Heather becomes more stunted with height gained and gradually gives way to grass-cover as the crest of Beinn a' Chuallaich's southern arm is reached and a stone shelter is met.

A short distance further on from the stone shelter and with a little more height, the trig point by the large well constructed summit cairn is finally bagged.

Beinn a' Chuallaich's summit cairn

Beinn a' Chuallaich's summit cairn

Schiehallion from Beinn a' Chuallaich's stone shelter on it's southern shoulder

You could simply about turn and re-trace your steps back to the roadside.

A detour to Beinn a' Chuallaich's neighbour, Meall nan Eun is worthy if weather is fair, followed by a descent to the old wall.

Kinloch Rannoch Highland Games hill race about to start

With an ascent of 260m over a distance of 4km, the Kinloch Rannoch Highland Games hill race is pretty short. But don't be misled by the stats, this a tough little race !

The race begins from the games field on the south side of the village and after doing a lap of the field, runners head out onto tarmac, over the River Tummel to the north side of the village. Once directed away from the road, runners scramble over soggy ground through deer-grass, bracken and woodland on a rough path. Out of the woodland, runners follow a flagged course to a cairn above Craig Varr, then about turn, where a fast descent returns competitors to the games field.

I took part in the race in 2014, came second in a time of just under 24mins. Information on the race and Kinloch Rannoch Highland Games is here.