Schiehallion

One of Scotland's best known hills, Schiehallion is one of the easiest Munros to climb on a fine summers day. It takes the form of a broad ridge, with the famous conical appearance only apparent from across Loch Rannoch.

Terrain

Excellent path most of the way; final section to summit across boulders.

Public Transport

None to start of walk.

Users' reports

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Start

Braes of Foss car park. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10km/6.25 miles
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Ascent: 731m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NN753556

Summits Climbed

Munro: Schiehallion

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Perthshire hostels

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park the Braes of Foss car park, where there are public toilets. A memorial commemorates Schiehallion's part in a famous experiment. In 1774 the Astronomer Royal Maskelyne became the first to measure the mass of the earth, which he did by observing the deflection of a pendulum by the mass of Schiehallion. As part of the experiment the volume of Schiehallion had to be calculated, for which purpose contour lines were invented by Charles Hutton. The path to Schiehallion begins at the far end of the car park.

Photo: Lionel Grove, Schiehallion from across Loch Rannoch

Stage 2

Until a few years ago, the path led from the car park directly up to the flank of Schiehallion; the passage of thousands of boots had let to it becoming a quagmire as well as a scar on the face of the hill. This side of the hill was bought in 1999 by the conservation charity The John Muir Trust. They set about building a new path on a line that loops slightly further south, and the damage caused by the original route is well on the way to a full recovery. Keep to the excellent path which is dry underfoot and gives excellent going; it passes some old tumbledown sheepfanks en route to the base of the east ridge. As the path works its way up the ridge, excellent views open up, particularly looking across Loch Tummel towards Beinn a'Ghlo.