free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
This hill provides a very easy ascent for some rather lovely views... this is the eastern end of Loch Tay
IMG_1727 (1) by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
According to my SMC book, Meall Greigh means "hill of the horse studs". Um... was it a breeding place for horses? A quick look at Google revealed that horse studs actually look like this.
Not much wiser, I turned back to the map. The ascent from the Ben Lawers Hotel looked a straightforward route to tackle immediately after my long early morning drive up from England. It was the stalking season, so NTS ownership of the land was a strong selling point for climbing this hill. The weather forecast - starting clear in Perthshire, but cloud and rain moving in from the south-west - clinched the sale.
It turned out to be a really pleasant route. If someone was nervous about climbing hills, then this would be one to take them on. There is nothing remotely like a crag on this route, but the scenery is wonderful. And despite descriptions of the hill as "sprawling", it does have a proper, well-defined summit that gives depth to the views all around.
My advice on this route is: get there early. After a long drive in the dark, I arrived around 9.30am and got the last parking space at the hotel (NB there is also more parking, also £5, through the next gate). There is an honesty box next to the hotel's pre-Covid entrance.
My other advice is: drivers going through Lawers village regard the speed limit as mere guidance.
IMG_1625 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A tributary of the Lawers Burn from the road.
IMG_1628 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
It's impossible to lose the route. Signs are painted on every available surface.
IMG_1639 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The day started dull, but with the promise of sunshine, and the woods along the Lawers Burn were beautiful.
IMG_1654 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Waterfalls on the Lawers Burn.
IMG_1836 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
IMG_1845 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Once I was out on the open hillside, I came across the many ruined shielings that cluster around the burn.
IMG_1666 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The light was increasing.
IMG_1669 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Blue skies over the Lawers peaks. A dusting of frost can be seen in the corrie below Ben Lawers' summit.
IMG_1679 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Looking across to the southern Loch Tay hills, with Creagan na Beinne on the left, and a glimpse of Ben Chonzie.
IMG_1695 (1) by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Creag an Fhithich and An Stuc
IMG_1701 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The path steepened, but the ascent was very simple, and every step was rewarded with wider views.
IMG_1733 (1) by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Creagan na Beinne, Ben Chonzie and the middle section of Loch Tay
IMG_1729 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The path sidles round the 805m top of Sron Mhor to a small col. From here Meall Garbh and An Stuc looked like giants.
IMG_1736 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A mossy rock just below the summit
IMG_1754 (1) by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
What a view!
IMG_1758 (1) by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Buachaille Etive Mor to Ben Nevis
IMG_1762 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The north Glen Lyon hills, and Schiehallion on the far right
IMG_1785 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
North-east towards the Cairngorms
IMG_1791 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Loch Tay from just below the summit
IMG_1751 (1) by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
As per the weather forecast, it clouded over on the way down. I felt very lucky to have had those views!
Still don't know what a horse stud is though.