Meall nan Tarmachan (pronounced: Myowl nan Tar-mach-an) is located within The Lawers group. Its translation into English from Gaelic means Hill of the Ptarmigan. The Ptarmigan, Lapogus muta is a medium sized gamebird in the grouse family that is found in many parts of the world, but only lives in isolated areas of the Scottish mountains.

Meall nan Tarmachan sits at a height of 1044meters/3425feet and is No.89 in the munro heights.

The starting point for the ascent of this hill can be found slightly along the road from the Ben Lawers visitor centre. As this is already around 450m above sea level the approx time for completing your day should be between 3 to 5 hours.

The Munros located within the Lawers group are:

Meall nan Tarmachan 1044m/3425ft
Meall Corranaich 1069m/3507ft
Meall a'Choire Leith 926m/3038ft
Meall Greigh 1001m/3284ft
Meall Garbh 1118m/3668ft
An Stuc 1118m/3668ft
Ben Lawers 1214m/3983ft
Beinn Ghlas 1103m/3619ft

There is a page already available on Summitpost for Ben Lawers

Route

From the parking spots after the visitor centre follow the dirt track road across the bridge that goes over the Allt a'Mhoirness and pass through the gate. After around 200 yards follow the path that veers off to the right(west). Continue along this path where on the right you will notice the ruins of old crofts around the gorge. Onwards and upwards until reaching the electrified fence (there for conservation reasons http://www.jncc.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/sac.asp?EUCode=UK0012895 ) where you pass through the gate. After this you will come across a fallen pylon thats a bit on the rusty side.

The path now heads north and the ground becomes boggy for a good ten minutes as you gradually climb. The boggyness subsides as the path begins to steepen until you level out at an unnamed top at 923ft.

Continue along the path northwest, heading downwards towards another electrified fence (well it's the same one its just made its way in front of you again!). You can climb over the ladder style provided or if you're on the ball just use the gate. Must admit I didn't notice the gate on the way up.

The path begins to rise again and steeply takes you round to the back of the peak where you will eventually top and see views to the north for the first time of the day (didn't actually have this pleasure as we were covered in cloud from about 700m and upwards).

Head left for roughly 100 yards until reaching the summit.

Descend via the route you took up.

Getting There

From Glasgow take the A82 road to Crianlarich, turn right onto the A85 and continue along this road until turning left onto the A827 signposted Killin. Travel through Killin until taking the left turn signposted Ben Lawers visitor centre.

From Stirling take the A84 and follow until it becomes the A85 at Lochearnhead. Continue along this road until reaching the right hand turn for the A827 Killin.

Red Tape

There is no red tape.

Maps & Books

Landranger map 51, OS Explorer map 378, Harvey Superwalker map-Ben Lawers, The Munro's book by Cameron McNeish page 38/39.

Accomodation

There is a hotel in Killin http://cgi.www.4hotels.co.uk/cgi-bin/www.4hotels.co.uk/show.pl?r=120684 and various Bed & Breakfasts. There is a campsite called Cruachan Farm before the turn off for Ben Lawers visitor centre.

Mountain Conditions

Meall nan Tarmachan is accessible all year round however, as you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland, care should be taken at all times.

Weather forecast ukie.accuweather.com/ukie/mountain-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather/

Avalanche forecast http://www.sais.gov.uk/

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