Meall Chuaich

Meall Chuaich is a broad, dome-shaped Munro in the Grampian Mountains of Highland. It stands just north of the Perth and Kinross border, east of Dalwhinnie, separated from the main Drumochter Hills group. The mountain’s Gaelic name means ‘hill of the quaich’, a traditional Scottish drinking vessel used for whisky. Seven Munros and lower peaks make up the Drumochter Hills, which straddle the Pass of Drumochter. The A9, National Cycle Route 7 and Highland Main Line railway all pass through this strategic pass linking northern and southern Scotland. The summit offers wide views west and north across Badenoch and Strathspey. Two large cairns mark the top, and the mountain is known for its short, straightforward ascent. Three ridges radiate from the summit: west to the 822-metre Stac Meall Chuaich, north-west to Loch Cuaich, and north-east via Carn Thòmais to Carn an Fheoir Bhuidhe. The steep north-west face drops to the small Loch Cuaich reservoir below. Walkers usually start at a lay-by on the A9 north of Dalwhinnie near the hamlet of Cuaich. A path follows the Cuaich Aqueduct past a small hydro plant to the dam of Loch Cuaich. From there the route climbs the south-west and west ridges to the summit. An alternative route through Glen Tromie from the east is longer and less direct.