Sgiath Chuil and Meal Glas from Glen Lochay

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These two rather undistinguished Munros are divided by a steep-sided and low bealach making for a strenuous day with some good views of the surrounding hills. More usually climbed via a boggy approach from Auchessan to the south, this northerly route gives slightly drier going but involves a river crossing near the start.

Terrain

Mostly gentle hills but with a very steep and time consuming descent and reascent to pass from one to the other. Much of the route is pathless and the start and finish involve a river crossing, impossible under spate.

Public Transport

None.

Start

New car park 1km short of road end in Glen Lochay. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Deer Stalking information

Glenlochay Estate. Stalking between early July and 20 Oct. No stalking on Sundays. A sign with stalking information is displayed in the car park and at the entrance to the estate in Glen Lochay. If further information is needed please phone 01887 840412 or 07766 816033, or e-mail: manager@pitcastle.com (8am to 6pm MonSat; if unanswered please leave a message).

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 20.5km / 12.75 miles
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1105m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN476368

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgiath Chuil
Munro: Meall Glas

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Drive down the Glen Lochay road from Killin; there is a new car park before reaching Kenknock Farm (the old car park at the end of the public road is closed). Continue along the road to a cross-roads of routes; go straight on here onto a track (the private tarred road over the Lairig Lunn goes off to the right). Cross a bridge and pass through a gate, continuing along the rough track. The footbridge shown on some OS maps after 1.5km by Lubchurran no longer exists; instead turn left on the track leading to Lubchurran cottage and cross the ford. Note that if the River Lochay appears too high to be forded (you may judge this as you drive along Glen Lochay), and also as an alternate initial route, end of the public road cross the river by the Hydro track that zig zags to the top of the pipeline and gain the ridge to Meall a'Churain from there. Note that most of the forestry plantation shown here has now gone. For the return the footbridge at Badour could be used followed by a walk along the track to the starting point.

Stage 2

Continue through gates and up the track toward the cottage, pass it on the right and continue up the track after having gone through another gate. There is a small waterfall behind the cottage. 1km later there is a branch in the track to the left that leads to a small dam, take this and cross the burn just above the dam (the track continues after the branch but this is not shown on the OS 1:50000 map). Now head east, climb up to the ridge top and then turn south for the walk up the ridge where there is a faint and intermittent path and a few boggy sections. Meall a'Churain is reached from where the cairn of Sgiath Chuil is a further 1km. From here Ben More dominates the view to the south, to the north there are views of your later route to Meall Glas and beyond that Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnaich across Glen Lochay.

Stage 3

Retrace your steps back along the ridge toward Meall a'Churain, as you start into the dip angle slightly to the west and descend gentle stony slopes. Where the slope steepens, look for a patch of boulders and descend steeply to the west through these to the bealach. From here it is possible to ascend to the summit of Beinn Cheathaich and follow the ridge to Meall Glas but for a more interesting outing and to avoid walking the ridge twice, ascend to Coire na Saobhaidhe below the ridge. This quiet, unfrequented and sheltered place with the ridge above and a small pool and stream would make a fine stop for tea or a wild camping spot.

Stage 4

Now traverse beneath the ridge heading south west then turn north west up the obvious spur that comes down from the main ridge, the summit of Meall Glas will now come into view. After a short ascent and immediately below a boulder section, turn to the west along a convenient sheep track across a plateau. The remaining 100m of ascent to the summit cairn of Meall Glas can now be made approaching from the south east. Ben Challum appears close to the west with Ben Lui in the distance to its left along with the full Crianlarich range to the south and closer views of Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnaich to the north.

Stage 5

The return journey starts with a 1.5km walk east then north east around the curved ridge, into a dip before the short ascent to the trig point on Beinn Cheathaich. Now head down the ridge, keeping slightly east of north to the start of the track after about 1.2km. From here the track can be followed to Lubchurran if desired, giving drier going, but it does add to the distance by heading south east before turning back to the north. Alternatively, continue down the ridge, heading slightly further east where you will pass a built pile of stones near a large boulder. From here Lubchurran can be seen, descend across slightly steeper ground to join the track just above the cottage for the return back across the ford and to the starting point.

Route: Yokehead

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