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There is
one Munro included in this ridge, which looks over towards its bigger
neighbour Ben Lawers. The ridge does however take in four other tops and
taking in as it does some fine crag scenery adjacent to the ridge, it
is a highly enjoyable outing.
Park just
off the minor road which goes from Loch Tay to Glen Lyon, about 500 metres
north of the National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre for Ben Lawers.
This is about 5 km north of Killin, which is a convenient centre for the
area. The minor road leading to the visitor centre is often problematic
on a winter's morning.
From the
parking spot off the minor road, walk along a private road for a few minutes
then take to a path on the hillside on the right to gain the south ridge
of Meall nan Tarmachan. The SE top at 923m is reached, then a small bump
ringed by the 900m contour line, before the col is gained by a short descent.
This col lies beneath the south-east face, which like much of this ridge
is quite craggy. Go straight up the steepening slope and at a rake below
the upper rocks turn right and follow it north for about 150 metres before
finally taking to steep grass on the left to reach the summit cairn of
Meall nan Tarmachan, the Munro of the day.
The remainder
of the ridge is now followed, taking the broad grassy ridge south-west
to a col with two small lochans. Above, the ridge leads to the summit
of Meall Garbh, whose pointy wee summit at 1026m is easily the best of
the day. The next section of the traverse continues west along a narrow
ridge before dropping steeply to the next col. Stick to the path as it
twists its way up the ridge to the next top, Beinn nan Eachan (1000m).
The last
top, Creag na Caillich (916m, crag of the old woman or witch), is easily
gained from Beinn nan Eachan, dropping down a grassy slope then following
the level ridge south-west to a col and a final rise to the summit.
To descend
from the last top, go back towards the col between Creag na Caillich and
Beinn nan Eachan, avoiding crags below the summit ridge. When it is visibly
safe to do so, descend south-east into the Coire Fionn Lairige and cross
the grassy bowl of this, heading towards the tail end of the south ridge
of Meall Garbh to reach a disused quarry and the private road which leads
in a tramp of several kilometres to the starting point.
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