A straightforward Munro that's ideal for an introduction to winter walking, Schiehallion towers scenically over the Southern Highlands and was where contours were born.
Walking Route: Schiehallion, Southern Highlands
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Braes of Foss > Aonach Ban
> Schiehallion > Braes of Foss
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Distance:
6 miles (9.5Km)
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Height
Gain:
2391ft (729 m)
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Overview: One of Scotland's most
popular Munros and an ideal introduction to winter walking
as well.
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Maps: OS Landranger 42, Explorer
378
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 2
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 4
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Start Point: NN
752 557
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One of Scotland's most popular Munros, and one that holds a special
place in history. The contour system commonly used on maps and taken
for granted was first developed here by Charles Hutton.
Schiehallion looking mean and moody from Mark
Pillinger's OM
album
Schiehallion dominates the central southern highlands as either an
almost perfect cone or a long ridgeline, depending on where you view
it from.
The mountain also makes an ideal introduction to winter walking
with easy navigation on a linear route.
Route - Braes of Foss to Schiehallion and return
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Distance: 3 miles (4.7km) each way
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Height Gain: 2391ft (729 m)
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From the car park at Braes of Foss a signpost marked
"Schiehallion Path" leads south onto a new path designed to combat
the erosion on one of Scotland's most popular mountains.
Beware if using OS maps from before 2004 as these only show the
old path which is no longer in use. Follow the new path south along
the edge of the main plantation to its southern end then head south
west towards the end of the prominent ridge to your right.
And viewed from the other side, by Scott Blair -
OM
album
The first part of the path is laid on grass covered peat, so keep
strictly to the path as wandering off to the sides here will quickly
lead to erosion problems. As you approach Aonach
Ban the gradient increases to a steady pull as you turn west.
Cross the old track and start the 1000ft ascent up the ridge on
rough stoney ground. As you reach 2600ft the level eases slightly and
the ground changes from small stones to angular quartzite boulders.
Continue westwards, still rising as you walk along the ridge top,
with cairns to guide the way on what is otherwise a featureless
expanse.
The ridge narrows over the last third of a mile as you climb the
final 200ft to the summit
cairn at NN 713 547. From the summit the views are amongst
the best in the central highlands with Loch Rannoch dominating to the
North West and Glen Lyon to the south west.
And in scenic summer mode by Tony Henley -
OM
album
The old route along Tempar Burn is now discouraged by the
landowner so the return journey should be along the same route as the
approach, though this makes for easy navigation, particularly in bad
weather or winter.
On the descent be careful to stay with the main ridge, passing the
old path at around 2500ft to avoid not only causing further erosion
but also to avoid the boggy expanse of the lower slopes.
