Munros Tables SMC Central Highlands: Six Long Distance Walks

 The Scottish Highlands


Meall na Meoig
The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland Central Highlands

 Photographs of an ascent of the Corbett Meall na Meoig

above Rannoch Moor in the Central Highlands of Scotland

With views of  Ben Nevis, Ben Alder, Beinn Bheoil,

 Loch Ericht, Buachaille Etive Mor


Railway station at Rannoch

Railway station at Rannoch

The West Highland Line ( "Iron Road to the Isles" )

 links the ports of 
Mallaig and Oban to Glasgow.

The line has been voted the top rail journey
 in the world by readers of 
Wanderlust.
 

The ScotRail website has reported that the line
has been voted the most scenic railway line in the world.



Railway station at Rannoch

Railway station at Rannoch






Loch Laidon and railway viaduct at Rannoch

Loch Laidon

and railway viaduct at Rannoch



Meall na Meoig from the "Road to the Isle"

Meall na Meoig

from the "Road to the Isle"




Rannoch Moor and the "Road to the Isle"

Rannoch Moor and the "Road to the Isle"

on the ascent of Meall na Meoig

Rannoch Moor is a large expanse of around 50 square miles (130 kmē )
 of boggy
 
moorland to the west of Loch Rannoch

Rannoch Moor is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI )
 and a Special Area of Conservation




Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe from Meall na Meoig

Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe

from Meall na Meoig


Ben Nevis from Meall na Meoig

Ben Nevis

from Meall na Meoig



Map of Carn Dearg, Geall Charn, Aonach Beag, Beinn Eibhinn, Ben Bheoil and Ben Alder

Ben Alder, Beinn Bheoil

and Loch Erich from Meall na Meoig






Schiehallion from summit of Meall na Meoig

Schiehallion and Loch Rannoch

from summit of Meall na Meoig ( 2848ft, 868m )

Meall na Meoig is the highest

of the summits of Beinn Pharlagain



Sgor Gaibhre from summit of Meall na Meoig

Sgor Gaibhre

from summit of Meall na Meoig





Carn Dearg from Meall na Meoig

Carn Dearg

from Meall na Meoig






Church in Kinloch Rannoch

Church in Kinloch Rannoch


Map of Meall na Meoig

Map of Meall na Meoig

( Note: Click here or on above for larger format copy )


Map of Rannoch Region

Map of Rannoch Region




Route Map of Meall na Meoig

Route Map of Meall na Meoig




The Road to the Isles,

Grade: Moderate mountain walk

Distance: 15 miles/25km

Time: 7-9 hours


Route Description:

It was one of those moments that can turn a dour day into a memorable one, as though someone has drawn the curtains apart to allow daylight into a darkened room. With cloud down to about a thousand feet I had been navigating by map and compass for much of the morning, a worthy exercise in itself but hardly one that leads to transcendental mountain experiences.

I had made my way north along the rather awkwardly twisting ridge of Meall na Meoig of Beinn Pharlagain in the Rannoch deer forest and had more or less resigned myself to a dark day in the clouds. But as I dropped down towards the broad col that lies below Meall na Meoig’s northern neighbour, the Munro of Sgor Gaibhre, the clouds were suddenly swept aside and I gazed down on a surprisingly sun-drenched Loch Ericht. It was as though a single beam of light had singled out Benalder Bay and its immediate surroundings - the bothy, the stand of ancient Caledonian pines and the vivid green foreshore — a splash of glorious colour in a monochrome world. For a brief moment, spring didn’t seem so far away. It was like a promise of things to come and you’ve no idea how it cheered me up. Almost inevitably the cloud soon ‘wrapped itself around me again and I tramped on over the two Munros of Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg. Now and again holes in the clouds offered tantalising glimpses ofsomething other than my compass dial, reminding me of the fabulous position of these hills that lie between the eastern edges of the brooding Rannoch Moor and the foot of Loch Ericht. 

Many walkers travel to these hills by train, as the West Highland line has handy stations at Rannoch and Corrour. With a whole bunch of other Munros in the area, either stop makes a terrific place for a weekend away, staying perhaps in the bunkhouse at Corrour or the SYHA hostel at lovely Loch Ossian. I can personally recommend both the tearoom at Rannoch Station and the one at Corrour.

Alternatively, Sgor Gaibhre (3133ft/955m) and Carn Dearg (3087ft) can be climbed from the south along with the Corbett of Meall na Meoig (2848ft) in an excellent horseshoe ridge walk that, on a clear day, offers fabulous views of both the Rannoch Moor and the Loch Ericht hills. All the way round you can enjoy great views to the west, across the great expanse of the Rannoch Moor towards the distant hills of the Blackmount Deer Forest, or into Coire Eigheach, the big corrie around which this route forms a great horseshoe.

The advantage of this route is that you’re not dependent on train times —you can drive there. Park to the north of Loch Eigheach and take the Road to the Isles track to the footbridge over the Allt Eigheach. Just north of the bridge you start climbing the Leacann nan Giomach slopes of Beinn Pharlagain. to reach the twisty ridge that leads to the Corbett. Both Munros can then be linked by high, broad ridges. A number of years ago I enjoyed a longer trip in this area, taking in both Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre.


ROUTE PLANNER

Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 42 (Glen Garry & Loch Rannoch)

Start/finish: B846 Rannoch Station" road by Loch Eigheach (GR: NN447578)

Distance: 15miles/25km

Time: 7-9 hours


Route:

Follow the Road to the lsles track for 1.5 miles to a footbridge across the Allt Eigheach. Don't cross the bridge, but continue on the E side of the burn and follow tracks onto the lower slopes of Beinn Pharlagain. Climb to the summit and follow the broad, twisting ridge to Meall na Meoig. Continue due N to a wide col then follow the ridge to the summit of Sgor Gaibhre. Follow the WSW ridge down to the Mam Ban and then climb the NE ridge of Carn Dearg. Follow the long S ridge all the way to Sron Leachd a’ Chaorainn before descending to cross the footbridge over the Allt Eigheach. Follow the track back to the road.





Route Description for Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre

Route Description for Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre


 Meall na Meoig Gallery
Photo Gallery

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Guide Books & Maps - Scotland:-


Knoydart, Loch Hourn, Loch Duich - OS Explorer Map Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn - OS Landranger Map Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road MapSouthern Scotland OS Road Map



Knoydart to Morven West Highlands NW Highlands SMC Knoydart, Skye, Wester Ross - West Coast Walks

The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland  Munros Tables SMC  The Munros - Scotland's Highest Mountains  Scotland - Lonely Planet  NW Highlands - SMC Guide  Exploring the Far NW of Scotland  Guide to Walks in NW Highlands

Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet  Mountain: Exploring Britain's High Places  National 3 Peaks Walk Scottish Highlands Hillwalking Guide The Scottish Islands Bouldering in Scotland
 Pathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe Glencoe Rock & Ice ClimbingThe Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Munros and Tops The Corbetts - SMC Munros & Corbetts Chart The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Munro Almanac

The Munros - Scotland's highest mountains Call of the Corbetts Magic of the Munros Hamish's Mountain Walk The Munros in WinterMy Scotland by Hamish MacInnes

Scottish Mountains - 50 Classic Routes 50 More Routes on Scottish Mountains The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Scotlands 100 Best WalksScottish Mountains - 100 Best RoutesBig Walks of Great Britain Classic Walks in Britain & Ireland

Scottish Hill & Mountain Names Classic Mountain Scrambles in Scotland Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayMore Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks 2 - Video Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

Ski Touring in Scotland Scrambles in Lochaber Rock Climbing in ScotlandRock Climbing SkillsThe FACE: Six Great Climbing Adventures Ben Nevis: Rock & Ice ClimbsGreat Snow & Ice Climbs of the British Isles100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains One Man's Mountains - Tom Patey

A Mountaineer's Tale - W.H.Murray Dougal Haston: Philosophy of RiskThe Glens of Rannoch Southern Highlands - MapNorthern Highlands Central Highlands West Highlands Central Highlands SMCNW Highlands SMC

Central Highlands: Six Long Distance Walks West Highland Way: Official Guide West Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map 100 Hillwalks around Glasgow

Scotland - Lonely Planet Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Highlands & Islands of Scotland - Hidden Places Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Rough Guide: Scotland Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandLonely Planet - Walking in Britain

50 Walks in the Scottish Highlands & Islands 100 Walks in Scotland Visit Scotland - Touring GuideScotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Hillwalker: The MunrosHillwalker: The Corbetts

Weather for Hillwakers & Climbers Mountain Weather Guide to the Weather Weather: Collins Gem Hillwalking Handbook for Mountain Leaders Hillwalkers Manual Hillwalkers Guide to Mountaineering First Aid on Mountains









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