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This was an ideal choice for an afternoon walk where I wasn't looking for something too strenuous but still wanted a proper taste of the hills. Meall na Leitreach doesn't get the best of publicity, but it gave me solitude, rainbows, and sunshine when most of its neighbours were in rainy clouds. And it gave me some pretty muddy boots too…
I set off north with either the Sow of Atholl or Meall na Leitreach in mind (and a 5% chance of both…), and arrived at Dalnaspidal around 2pm in a proper squall. This was disappointing, as I'd driven up through a gloriously sunny Perthshire only to be confronted by a wall of mist as the A9 turned west towards Drumochter. But, the BBC weather app suggested the rain wouldn't last, so I decided to sit in the car and wait for it to pass. After two trains passed, the rain stopped and the sun started to get to work.
- Sitting in the car, watching Sun vs Squall…
After a bit more faffing around, I eventually got moving, still unsure about which Corbett to go for. Having initially crossed the sluice. I looked at the Sow, and it looked back at me through the rain, and I thought "nah, another time". I turned round, and was soon on my away along the bank of the sluice, across the valley floor to join the ATV track up the north slopes of Meall na Leitreach.
- The sluice-bank approach to Meall na Leitreach
This track was seriously boggy and muddy, and while it was a helpful navigation aid, I can't say it especially helped me get up the hill more quickly. But it wasn't too far until the summit ridge, and while the breeze picked up a wee bit, it also kept the showers on the West Drumochter hills and away from me. I reached the cairn at pt 746m, briefly thinking it was the top, before remembering I had a bit more work to do.
- The Sow now in the sunshine
But the track led me all the way to the lovely short heathery—and dry—summit of Meall na Leitreach, with only a huge mountain hare for company. As I turned round, a rainbow arced over the route back to the car. The Tummel hills to the south were clear, but the hills to the north remained largely hidden by cloud.
- Farragon Hill and Beinn a'Chuallaich from the summit
- Rainbows!
There wasn't much option but to return the way I came, though this time I descended the slopes beside the track, rather than risk the inevitable wet backside from slipping in the mud. I was back at the car in about an hour and three-quarters, and decided that would do nicely for the day.