Get Lost Mountaineering

Schiehallion from the Braes of Foss car park on the Schiehallion Road

Start/Finish

From Aberfeldy, take the B846 road towards Tummel Bridge for about 9 miles to where there is a left turning called Schiehallion Road. Fillow this for just over 2 miles to the Braes of Foss car park. In 2015, all day parking was £2. Toilets are available in the summer months. The car park is not that large so arrive early during the busy season.

Distance/Time

10 km    About 4 – 5 hours

Peaks

Schiehallion, 1083 m, NN 713 547.     OS Sheet 42.

Introduction

Schiehallion is one of the most famous mountains in Scotland and can be seen from many directions. It usually looks like a perfect triangle. This was used by the then Royal Astronomer, Neveil Maskelyne, in 1774, to measure the mass of the earth by the effect of the mountain on a swinging pendulum. Despite its height, Schiehallion is, for many, only a half day's ascent as the path is so good. Being an isolated peak, it is a good viewpoint for surrounding hills especially the Carn Mairg range to the south. Beinn a' Ghlo, Ben Chonzie and Ben Lawers are all seen on a clear day.

Route

(1) Walk out of the car park, at the opposite end to the entrance, and follow the obvious path which has been much improved over the years. It takes one about two thirds of the way up the mountain to a large cairn. From here the going is more stony and the path harder to follow. Higher up, there is another cairn with a short wall after which the crest narrows but is still quite wide. When the last shoulder before the summit is reached, the best way is on the left, S side, of the crest otherwise one goes through boulder fields. The finish can be made up easy rock ribs – fine when dry but slippery when wet. The highest point is, itself, a rocky rib where a small cairn marks the summit of Schiehallion, 1083 m.

(2) Retrace the route of ascent.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 6^th July, 2015, and about 10 and 20 years previously.