Meall Chuaich, Drumochter

[Myth]

Summer 2007 - 2 Adults, 2 kids, 1 dog.

We completed the walk exactly as described. Do not be tempted to try any other parking place - none exists in spite of promising looking marks on the map, although some cars can park off-road to the north and east of the layby... The most "lively" part of this walk is crossing the road on the way out/return. Be careful - I nearly tripped over the dog lead hurrying to avoid a truck!

The initial part of this walk is along a fairly featureless access road to the hydro plant, and meanders alongside the storm drain (I presume) with nothing much to offer. And if it seems to go on and on on the way up... wait until you return!

Once past the hydro, it gets much better, with the sceanery opening out, and a clear view of the hill ahead. As we were slightly later on this day, we could see parties ahead of us all up the hill showing the route clearly - up the initial corned of the hill to a small shoulder, then turning up a further "ridge" to the summit. You do need to make sure you take the right paths at the bottom - the weave about some - consult the description/map carefully, and once past the hut and lochan, follow the obvious boggy track up onto the corner/ridge for the ascent.

This is just a simple uphill grind, over quite good going, with a clear path the whole way. The initial ridge is probably the steepest, and all the way the views to the west open out. Once you get to the shoulder (well earned chocolate stop) the worst is over, and its a simple haul over more exposed rock to the summit and the clear views all around.

This hill does not take long to climb at all - it's the walk in/out that takes time! It went down very well with our party due to being able to "see" the hill and route so well on the way in - they knew exactly what to expect.

An enjoyable easy day out - but very popular. I've not bothered detailing the people we met, as there were so many...