the routeDrive up Glen Lochay, truly a glen of contrasts, to the car park, map ref 476368, just before the public road end; a starting height of 200m. Head west, walking (or cycling) on the road, then track.After ¾ of a mile, pass by Kenknock and the hydro road that climbs north. Pass on the left the car park of yore, messy ground churned by cattle who are often reluctant to move from the road. The glen, west of Kenknock, now features the Forest of Mamlorn, a project to establish 500 hectares of permanent native forest. Continue for a mile up the glen on the north side of the River Lochay to reach opposite Lubchurran and the start of the ascent. Only 30m climbed so far.The immediate problem, however, is how to cross the river. The old footbridge, still shown on my old map, is no more, although the site is obvious. However, a few yards upstream is a ford, usually possible to splash over crossing diagonally. When Jimbo and I were there earlier in the year, we took off boots and socks and crossed wearing old sandals, to be collected and used on return. Feet, once dry and warm, feel invigorated.Now for the uphill, well-graded track on the west bank of the Lubchurran Burn. Pass by a number of gates, many of them new but with side gates. My old map has the track ending circa 400m. Nevertheless, the track extends further, curving west to reach the indistinct, at this stage, north ridge of Beinn Cheathaich, and ending at a height of 680m on flatter ground circa map ref 445338.There is a mystery about this one-time unmapped track; similar to the now mapped track beneath Beinn Eunaich. The latter track was definitely built for hydro purposes but, despite the Glen Lochay area featuring many hydro works, I can see no reason as to why the former was built.With less than 300m to climb over one mile, head south on broad grassy slopes, the ridge becoming more defined on ascent, to reach the trig point on Beinn Cheathaich, hill of the mist.Traverse the broad ridge, which seldom drops below 900m. A well-worn path keeps mainly on the north side, avoiding some of the undulations. Meall Glas has a pleasing final cone but it calls for some care when snow-covered.For returning, it is easier to retrace steps to the Top, then north to the track-end.

To the east is Sgiath Chuil, the neighbouring Munro; hills commonly climbed as a pair.

Meall Glas (once known as Meall Glas Mhor, and part of the crags is still mapped as Meall Glas Bheag) lies at the south-west end of a one-mile crescent-shaped summit ridge. At the north-east end is the sole subsidiary Top, 937m Beinn Cheathaich, originally listed as the Munro. The 22m height difference is not readily apparent, and one can understand the inaccuracies in those early mapping days. One of those Inaccessible Pinnacle type of anomalies, it was known for a while that the then Munro was not the highest point. This was corrected in 1921, though to this day the Top’s trig point gives it a feeling of greater importance.

A popular approach starts from Auchessan by the A85 – a surprisingly difficult route to follow in thick mist – leading to the south-east slopes, scattered with crags, whereas a Glen Lochay start has the help of a track, which it is easier to navigate from on a poor day.

Map Ordnance Survey map 51, Loch Tay & Glen Dochart

Distance 11 miles

Height 900m

Terrain Track to grassy slopes

Start point Car park, just before Glen Lochay road end, map ref 476368

Time 6 hours

Nearest village Killin

Refreshment spot Bridge of Lochay Hotel, Killin

THE ROUTE

Drive up Glen Lochay, truly a glen of contrasts, to the car park, map ref 476368, just before the public road end; a starting height of 200m. Head west, walking (or cycling) on the road, then track.

After ¾ of a mile, pass by Kenknock and the hydro road that climbs north. Pass on the left the car park of yore, messy ground churned by cattle who are often reluctant to move from the road. The glen, west of Kenknock, now features the Forest of Mamlorn, a project to establish 500 hectares of permanent native forest. Continue for a mile up the glen on the north side of the River Lochay to reach opposite Lubchurran and the start of the ascent. Only 30m climbed so far.

The immediate problem, however, is how to cross the river. The old footbridge, still shown on my old map, is no more, although the site is obvious. However, a few yards upstream is a ford, usually possible to splash over crossing diagonally. When Jimbo and I were there earlier in the year, we took off boots and socks and crossed wearing old sandals, to be collected and used on return. Feet, once dry and warm, feel invigorated.

Now for the uphill, well-graded track on the west bank of the Lubchurran Burn. Pass by a number of gates, many of them new but with side gates. My old map has the track ending circa 400m. Nevertheless, the track extends further, curving west to reach the indistinct, at this stage, north ridge of Beinn Cheathaich, and ending at a height of 680m on flatter ground circa map ref 445338.

There is a mystery about this one-time unmapped track; similar to the now mapped track beneath Beinn Eunaich. The latter track was definitely built for hydro purposes but, despite the Glen Lochay area featuring many hydro works, I can see no reason as to why the former was built.

With less than 300m to climb over one mile, head south on broad grassy slopes, the ridge becoming more defined on ascent, to reach the trig point on Beinn Cheathaich, hill of the mist.

Traverse the broad ridge, which seldom drops below 900m. A well-worn path keeps mainly on the north side, avoiding some of the undulations. Meall Glas has a pleasing final cone but it calls for some care when snow-covered.

For returning, it is easier to retrace steps to the Top, then north to the track-end.