Schiehallion
1,083 m
United Kingdom
Also known as Счичалион, Sìth Chailleann, +1Also known as
Счичалион · Sìth Chailleann · Schichallion
- Elevation
- 1,083 m
- Prominence
- 716 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T3 (final 2 km over pathless quartzite boulders)
One of the easiest Munros: a well-built, stepped path laid by the John Muir Trust climbs from the Braes of Foss car park onto the long east ridge, followed by about 2 km of awkward quartzite boulders to the rocky summit. About 10 km and 730 m of ascent there and back, 4–6 hours.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 5.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +748 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,083 m
- Time Up
- 3h 09m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 10m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Braes of Foss car park on the Schiehallion road, with its memorial to the 1774 'weighing the Earth' experiment, the path starts at the far end of the car park. Turn right at a junction in the woods, go through a gate, follow a wall and cross a footbridge, then bear right on the main path through young native oak woodland and past old sheepfanks to the foot of the east ridge. The present path, built by the John Muir Trust after it bought the east side of the hill in 1999, loops south of the badly eroded old line and climbs in stone steps and zigzags onto the broad ridge, with views over Loch Tummel to Beinn a' Ghlò. Above about 870 m the made path ends: keep to the right edge of the ridge past a large cairn, then cross a long stretch of loose, angular quartzite boulders. The summit lies further west than the first tops suggest; the true top is a small, slightly pointed rocky crest. A few metres beyond it are the best views west over Loch Rannoch to Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe. Return the same way and do not short-cut down the old eroded line. In mist the boulderfield is easy to stray on, so a compass bearing along the ridge is useful; in winter the ridge is exposed to wind and the boulders become treacherous under snow and ice.
Start
Braes of Foss Car Park340 m
- No public transport to Braes of Foss is reported; access is by car on the minor Schiehallion road
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braes of Foss Car Park → Schiehallion | 5.2 | 748 | 7 | 3h 09m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Braes of Foss Car Park340 m
- Summit: Schiehallion1,083 m
Key Passages
- Stepped John Muir Trust path onto the east ridge
- About 2 km of quartzite boulderfield to the summit
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
An isolated 1,083 m quartzite ridge near the centre of Scotland, a perfect cone from Loch Rannoch and one of the most accessible Munros, famous as the mountain used in 1774 to 'weigh the Earth', when contour lines were invented to survey it.
Schiehallion stands alone between Loch Rannoch, Loch Tummel and Loch Tay in Highland Perthshire, about 16 km west-north-west of Aberfeldy. Seen from the west across Loch Rannoch it is an almost perfect cone; from the east it is a long whaleback ridge. Its isolation makes it one of the most widely recognised summits in Scotland and a superb viewpoint, with Ben Nevis, Rannoch Moor and the Glen Coe peaks to the west.
The mountain is built mainly of quartzite, which gives the upper ridge its white, angular boulderfield. The east side has been owned since 1999 by the John Muir Trust, which replaced a badly eroded path with a well-engineered one; around 20,000 people a year walk it. The made path ends at about 870 m, leaving roughly 2 km of awkward boulders to the summit.
In good summer weather Schiehallion is a straightforward half-day hill walk and a common first Munro. In mist the broad boulder ridge needs careful navigation, and in winter it becomes a cold, wind-blasted snow ridge requiring winter equipment.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 4–6 hour walk with 730 m of ascent and steady footing on boulders are all that is needed in summer. Wear boots with ankle support for the quartzite boulderfield, carry full waterproofs and a map and compass, and stay on the made path to protect the restoration work. In mist, the summit ridge is broad and cairns are numerous, so take a bearing along the ridge.
In winter the ridge is exposed to strong winds, and snow-covered boulders hide holes; ice axe, crampons and winter navigation skills are needed. Arrive early on fine weekends from May to October, when the Braes of Foss car park fills quickly; there is an overflow car park about 500 m east.
History
The name comes from the Gaelic Sìth Chailleann, 'fairy hill of the Caledonians'. In 1774 the Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne used the mountain's regular shape and isolation to measure the deflection of a pendulum by its mass, giving the first estimate of the mean density and mass of the Earth; the site had been chosen by Charles Mason, who declined to lead the work. The mathematician Charles Hutton devised contour lines to calculate the mountain's volume from the survey. The slopes were farmed from the first millennium BC until about two centuries ago. The John Muir Trust bought the eastern side in 1999 and rebuilt the footpath over the following years.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter conditions likely; short days
- Feb
- Winter conditions likely
- Mar
- Snow often lingers on the upper ridge
- Apr
- Variable; late snow possible on the boulderfield
- May
- Good walking; car park busy on fine weekends
- Jun
- Long days; best chance of settled weather
- Jul
- Busy; midges at the car park
- Aug
- Busy; midges
- Sep
- Good walking; quieter
- Oct
- Shorter days; autumn colours
- Nov
- Early winter conditions possible
- Dec
- Winter conditions likely; very short days
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Braes of Foss car park: £3 per car per day (£10 minibus or coach), coins or the RingGo app; the charge supports path maintenance
- Rules
- Access under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; the east side is a John Muir Trust estate
- Use the John Muir Trust path both ways and do not descend the old eroded line
- Getting There
Kinloch Rannoch; Aberfeldy (larger town, about 16 km)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
- By car to the Braes of Foss car park on the minor Schiehallion road (nearest postcode PH16 5NN); overflow car park 500 m east
- No public transport to the trailhead is reported; the nearest railway station is Pitlochry
Hazards
- Weather