Meall Tairneachan and Farragon Hill

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Summary

Between Loch Tummel and Aberfeldy is an area of lumpy, heathery hills and minor summits, with two Corbetts: Meall Tairneachan and the more distinctive Farragon Hill. Below the top of the former is a working open-cast Barytes mine and the hills are scored with hard tracks; this route follows the mine road up to the first hill and through the mine before making a pathless, more rugged approach to Farragon Hill. The mine is a dangerous industrial site; obey any instructions and if possible visit at the weekend.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Mine track with section of pathless, rough heather.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Start of Foss Mine track, B846 south of Tummel Bridge. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.25km / 10.75 miles
Time: 5.5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 878m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN780561

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Meall Tairneachan
Corbett: Farragon Hill

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (13)

Stage 1

The route starts at the foot of the Foss Mine track which branches off the B846 between Aberfeldy and Tummel Bridge. There is no parking on the start of the track itself, but there is limited space on the verge of the main road nearby. Head up the main track, passing spoil heaps and continue ahead past a barrier to begin climbing steeply through the forestry. As height is gained rapidly, there are views back towards Schiehallion through the trees.

Stage 2

Eventually open moorland is reached, and Meall Tairneachan is seen ahead. The track passes south of Meall Damh and then climbs high across the north side of Meall Tairneachan. After it swings right at a turning area is the best point to leave it to make the short detour up to the summit.

Stage 3

There is a faint grassy path at first and then a short boggy section before the stone-built trig point is reached. The views west and north are of mountains, with the Ben Lawers and Schiehallion ranges prominent, whilst southeast the landscape falls away towards the lower end of Strathtay. A direct route east to the track is barred by steep slopes and broken crags so it is easier to retrace your steps back to where you left the track before turning right to continue along it.

Stage 4

Follow the main track - ignoring any branches off to the right. Soon it begins a steep, zig-zagging descent down to the Foss Barytes mine. Blasting takes place here and there are also deep excavations; the mine is usually quieter at weekends but obey any instructions given at any time as the site is dangerous. The track forks at the mine with two ways through - usually the tracks round the southern end of the mine pass further from any activity.

Stage 5

The mine is left behind with some relief - an unusual obstacle on a hill-walk. Continue along the track which now descends northeast. The harder surface is soon replaced by a grassier one as the track curves east and begins climbing once more. After a final zig-zagging descent it is left behind at last, with the craggy summit of Farragon Hill rising beyond a pathless, boggy corrie. Contour this corrie on the south side, passing through some deep heather and a couple of boggier sections.

Stage 6

The final climb up to the summit is on steep grass, avoiding the crags - there is a trace of a path on this section. The tiny cairn is a fine viewpoint, with Beinn a'Ghlo prominent to the northeast, and feels much the wildest place on this walk despite another major track being prominent down to the east. Retrace your steps back to the mine track and follow it all the way back past the Barytes mine and down to the start.

Route Profile

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