Last month I described a visit to Meall Glas, situated between Glen Lochay to the north and Glen Dochart to the south. With the convenience o
f the A85 for both car and bus service, an approach from the south is the most popular route, starting from Auchessan. The same can be said for the hill's immediate neighbour Sgiath Chùil, just two miles to the east as the crow flies. Although both hills are commonly climbed as a pair, I did say that separate exploration of each hill is worthwhile.
So now it is the turn of Sgiath Chùil, which I last wrote about a couple of years ago, using the Auchessan approach. At that time I described the hill as a Munro modest in height, size and character, but I have slightly changed my opinion about its character. The summit only stands at 921m/3022ft, yet surprisingly for such a low Munro it has a subsidiary top, Meall a'Churain, in the north, and there is another bump between this and the Munro.
South of the summit, a sharp drop leads to a rocky 853m bump, Sgiath Chrom, from where moorland leads to Glen Dochart. Traversing the moorland at a height of some 400m is a track, constructed for water abstraction works. The water is taken north by tunnel (and aqueduct across Glen Lochay) to Loch Lyon to service the power station at Lubreoch. The track, reached by a feeder track from Auchlyne, a hamlet on the minor road on the north side of the River Dochart, is used in this week's walk.
West of the summit, steep grassy slopes lead towards Meall Glas, but on the eastern side a variety of bumps and undulations, knobbly terrain contrasting with the lower moorland, form a craggy horseshoe enclosing the seldom-visited Coire Lobhaidh. Sgiath Chùil means back wing or nook, suggesting a sheltered spot, presumably on its eastern slopes above Coire Lobhaidh, away from the prevailing west wind.
Despite the convenience of the A85, the River Dochart forms a barrier, with a choice of only three bridges: at Auchessan, or further east at Innishewan and Auchlyne. I returned to the hill a few weeks ago, this time from Auchlyne, with an early morning start, mindful of the forecast for conditions to deteriorate during the day.
You will need Ordnance Survey map 51, Loch Tay and Glen Dochart.
Leave the A85 at map ref 506283 for the minor road and park before crossing Auchlyne West Burn. It is essential to park with consideration. Cross the West Burn to reach the start of the feeder track that zigzags north-west between Auchlyne West and East Burns. The track gives a quiet and easy climb to 400m, then at a junction turn west for a level walk across Coire Lobhaidh towards the base of Sgiath Chrom.
Before a slight dip to the concrete bridge over the West Burn, it may be tempting to leave the track and take a direct line to the summit, but Coire Lobhaidh is very rough. It is preferable to continue to map ref 482304, where the track fords a side burn, though there is a concrete walkway that forms a small dam.
This is a good turning point in adverse weather, but if visibility is good climb north-west on broad grassy slopes to reach the east side of Sgiath Chrom and the start of the knobbly summit area, confusing in thick mist. Continue to the south side of Sgiath Chùil and then head for the small gap between crags immediately SSW of the summit.
Take time to stroll over to Meall a'Churain. In heading north for this top, navigation is easier on a misty day if you know that the third knobble is the target. My visit was less of a stroll for I was into one of those black and white days, snow contrasting with the rocky knobbles.
On this midweek visit, I reckon I was the only one on the hill. Quite apart from wanting to go to the subsidiary top in any case, being there determined without doubt that I had already climbed the Munro.
On a good day an easterly descent into Coire Lobhaidh can be made through breaks in the crags, though it is safer to return to the summit of Sgiath Chùil and retrace the route of ascent.
FACT FILEMap Ordnance Survey map 51, Loch Tay & Glen Dochart
Distance 9 miles
Height 800m
Terrain Hydro track, then moorland climb, leading to knobbly summit
Start point East bank of Auchlyne West Burn, by Auchlyne at map ref 510295
Time 5 to 6 hours
Nearest village Killin
Nearest refreshment spot A good choice in Killin
The full article contains 800 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
