Get Lost Mountaineering

Sgiath a' Chaise from Ardchullarie Mor on Loch Lubnaig

Start/Finish

Loch Lubnaig lies between Strathyre to the north and Callender to the south on the A84 which goes from Stirling to Lochearnhead. There is a deep lay by at the start which is about 3 miles south of Strathyre and about 6 miles north of Callender. Ardchullarie Mor does not seem to be signed at all but it is on the map. It is the entrance to the right of way to Loch earn via Glen Ample with the lay by a few metres to the north.

Distance/Time

8 km     About 3 - 4 hours

Peaks

Sgiath a' Chaise, 645 m, NN 583 169. OS sheet 57.

Introduction

This is a relatively straight forward walk with a good track to get you started and past the forestry. The ascent on to the crest is on a faint path which can then be followed to the summit. There are excellent views in all directions. On a clear day one can see Ben Ledi, Ben Vane, Ben More, Stob Binnein, other Crianlarich hills, Meall an t- Seallaidh and Creag Mac Rainich but the outstanding view is to Stuc a' Chroin and Beinn Each across the glen to the east.

Route

(1) From the lay by, walk the few metres S to the entrance to Glen Ample. There is a tarmac drive to begin with which then goes right to the house. The path to Glen Ample goes straight on, almost on the bank of the river, to a metal gate where there is a sign. Beyond here is a path which goes up the left side of a fence. In places, the path is narrow lower down but then enters forestry before reaching a forestry track. Turn left here and follow the track to a gate where it leaves the forest and enters sparse natural woodland before finally emerging into open country. Soon after, and with forestry still on the left, a sign post is reached which points, right, to the path up Beinn Each. There is a small cairn on the right at this point and a ruin about 50 m further up on the left of the track. This point is at NN 590 150. Ignore the path to Beinn Each and continue past the ruin until the edge of the main forestry on the left is reached. From here, head for the crest on the left. One can either walk up the side of the forest then follow grassy strips to the crest or head for the top left corner of the small forestry plantation to the right which has more of a path. There is a low wall to cross just after leaving the track and it is often boggy here. Once on the crest, keep to the edge over looking Glen Ample where there is a faint path which soon follows some old fence posts which lead all the way to the top. The interesting area around Creag a' Mhadaidh is easily passed to its left then gentle grassy slopes, following the old fence, lead to a grassy flat top where there is no cairn but an old metal fence post has been stuck in the ground on what seems to be the highest point and this marks the summit of Sgiath a' Chaise, 645 m. The next top, N, along the crest may look higher but it is about 3 m lower. Unless you want clearer views of Loch Earn, there is no need to go past the summit. A high deer fence would also have to be negotiated.

(2) Retrace the path back to the forestry track in Glen Ample then back to the start taking care not to miss the path off the forestry track.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 26^th April, 2014. Sgiath a' Chaise was also climbed on 17^th February, 2002, in conjunction with Beinn Each.

(b) If considering the inclusion of Beinn Each which lies on the other side of Glen Ample, it is better to retrace the outward path to Glen Ample then follow the path up from the Beinn Each sign passed earlier. This is slightly longer than a more direct route but almost certainly quicker.

(c) “The Grahams” by A. Dempster offers a different return by walking S along the Sgiath a' Chaise crest and over Meall Mor. This does not immediately look possible because of the dense sitka plantations but local knowledge also backs such a return route. Apparently, the dense sitka can be avoided by walking through more widely spaced mature larch and not being too far from the stream flowing out of Glen Ample. This route will be investigated on a future visit.