Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh & An Stuc
LOCH TAY AND GLEN LYON
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1. For many years parking for this route was a real problem but there is now a walkers car park built by the Lawers Hotel; you can either pay a charge or go for a drink or meal there after the walk instead. Begin the walk by heading east (carefully!) along the main road. After half a kilometre along there is a white-painted cottage on the left selling antler and bone-carved products. Turn left up the track immediately beyond this; Meall Greigh can be seen ahead through the fields. After a very short distance Machuim Farm is reached and the track goes right. Follow the good path (signed) which continues ahead and then climbs up through the woods close to the Lawers burn.
2. After a second stile the trees are left behind and the Ben Lawers National Nature reserve is entered by a sign. Beyond it the path passes through an area dotted with old shielings, where folk once would have lived during the summer months. The path beyond soon descends into the deep gully of the Lawers burn; don't follow this but instead leave the main path and keep high above the burn on its east side. The ascent to Meall Greigh from here is long and fairly featureless; the exact route taken probably doesn't matter – one option is to follow a minor side stream northwards to give a little interest during this climb; alternatively you could head up more directly over Sron Mhor. The recompense is in the fine views of Loch Tay behind.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
3. Meall Greigh is rather a sprawling and shapeless Munro but its slightly detached position at the eastern end of the Lawers Range makes it an extensive viewpoint. Most eyes will be drawn west along the broad ridge to be followed to Meall Garbh, backed by steep An Stuc and massive Ben Lawers behind, with the tiny Lochan nan Cat cradled in front of them. Descend along the ridge – more of a moorland at this point – to the bealach of Lairig Innein.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
4. Beyond the bealach, climb the slopes ahead to gain the better defined final ridge which curves round to the left to reach Meall Garbh. This second Munro of the day is a mighty 1118 metres, its summit on second of the two parallel little ridges along the top. Ben Lawers now looms much closer but all eyes will be drawn to the next peak on the ridge – An Stuc – which rises intimidatingly steeply from the next bealach. Continue down the ridge to its foot.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
5. The ascent to this peak is a steep scramble and somewhat loose – great care is required, particularly in the wet. In winter this ascent can be very difficult indeed. The cairn at the summit will probably be reached with some relief. At 1118 metres An Stuc is exactly the same height as Meall Garbh; for many years this led to controversy as only the latter peak had Munro status. All was resolved in 1997 when An Stuc was itself promoted to be a Munro as well. Its status is well deserved as this is the finest peak in the Lawers range. Continue down the easier south ridge to reach Bealach Dubh.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
6. From here a decision must be made. It is possible to continue and include Ben Lawers to make a fine circuit of Lochan nan Cat, descending along its east ridge and then northeast to regain the path up to the corrie. Others (probably having climbed Lawers before) will have had enough, and will instead carefully descend the very steep grassy gully close by the stream to head down to the lochan. From here continue east along the exit stream, following it to a dam used by the Lawers hydro scheme. A track leaves here – follow it for a brief distance before onto a clear path that keeps high above the Lawers ravine. Further on the path descends into the ravine and crosses a footbridge before rejoining the outward route and leading back to the start.
Photo ©Paul Birrell, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
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Route profile
Accommodation links for this area:
Loch Tay: Aberfeldy & Killin Hotels and Inns
Perthshire B&B (Bed and Breakfasts)
Self catering cottages in Loch Tay: Aberfeldy & Killin
Perthshire bunkhouses and hostels
