First day of our holiday, after an early start we pitched up at the car park next to the Ben Lawers Hotel, put our fiver in the honesty box, and headed back along the road to our starting point.
Turning off the road we immediately began our ascent. This only really eased off when we reached the summit of the first munro! A great way to ease the legs into the holiday!
Hill Path
The path was clearly marked as we approached a farm and we turned off to follow it up. By this point I was starting to warm up, the initial chill of standing outdoors to put boots on quickly wearing off.
We quickly gained height, pausing occasionally to look back to Loch Tay, seeing how far we’d come.
We continued up, slow and steady for me, the bionic man moving faster and occasionally pausing for me to catch up!
Meall Greigh
Apart from the uphill battle there was no challenge in reaching the summit of Meall Greigh. Marked with a cairn, we paused only briefly before heading on. It was a bit blustery so keeping moving was the best option.
Meall Garbh
Our second munro of the day, there had been ongoing discussion as to whether we’d head on to An Stuc next. Personally, I wasn’t keen. I’m not renowned for my love of scrambling and this third munro looked intimidating. Bruce was keeping his options open, however I gave mine clearly and unintentionally when he suggested a sandwich stop at a sheltered spot and I announced, ‘we can stop here on the way back.’
Reaching Meall Garbh, our highest summit of the day at 1123 metres, we wandered a wee bit further along the path to view An Stuc but it didn’t tempt me. We could see a path to a certain point but it was unclear where it went beyond this. By this point it was pretty blustery too, all the less appealing for doing something challenging.
Bruce having done this before was content to return with me. I did offer to wait and wave to him on reaching the top before heading back down to meet him!
Meeting a lady on the descent path later we were glad we’d missed out An Stuc; she said the scramble had been tough – very slimy in the wet, mossy gully, with some loose stones. It will be there another day and I’ll be able to choose an alternative route.
To descend, we headed back towards Meall Greigh, following the fence, then heading down from a point at the bealach where a deer fence tracked alongside a stream. This made for a quick and easy return, a couple of minor stream crossings easy to hop across due to boulders and low water levels.
We picked up the path we’d ascended by, headed to the car, and by the time we’d reached the Tyndrum Inn post shower it felt like we’d left home yesterday! Had a lovely evening with some good food and company of Heather and Colin, our usual B & B hosts, who open for the season next week. It wouldn’t be Tyndrum without a blether with Heather!
Clare, happiest outdoors! 