Meall nan Tarmachan

Meall nan Tarmachan is a mountain in the Southern Highlands of Scotland. It stands near the village of Killin, just west of Ben Lawers, and forms part of the Tarmachan ridge. The ridge includes three other peaks: Meall Garbh, Beinn nan Eachan and Creag na Caillich. These three are classified as Tops rather than Munros, lying to the south-west of the main summit. The mountain’s name comes from Scottish Gaelic, meaning ‘mound of the ptarmigans’. The ridge is often climbed as a single route, though the full traverse involves some scrambling. The mountain has a Neolithic stone axe workshop on the slopes of Creag na Caillich. Such sites are rare in the UK, and only a limited survey has been carried out. From 1951 to 1961, an aerial cableway ran up the south-east shoulder. It transported rock to build the Lawers Dam, quarried at Coire Fionn Lairige. Remnants of the cableway, including iron rails and pylons, still lie scattered across the hillside. The summit of Meall nan Tarmachan is easily reached from the east via the road north of the Ben Lawers visitors centre. The final climb to the top is short and straightforward, with no technical difficulties. The Tarmachan ridge offers sweeping views across the surrounding glens and lochs. The contrast between the wild ridge and the remnants of the old cableway adds to the mountain’s character. Walkers who complete the full traverse are rewarded with a sense of achievement and wide Highland vistas.