Always take a map and compass with you. ©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 058/170 km 0.5 (^1) 1.5 2 2.5 3.0 3.5 (^4) 4.5 4.8
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Start/Finish
Layby on the A82
GR: NN310467
Pull over at a tiny unoficial layby
just after the Rannoch Rowan.
Take care: cars speed along this
narrow stretch of road. If this
layby is full, there is another
one just past the local authority
boundary between Argyll & Bute
and Highland.
Meall Mor & Meall Beag
West Highlands SCOTLAND
4km/2.5 miles/1½ hours
Ascent 300m/1,000ft^2
IT WAS A TOM WEIR book
that introduced people
to the Rannoch Rowan, a
solitary tree growing out
of a rock by the A82. Tom
mentioned that he liked to
say “hello” to it as he drove
past, so that is what we do
too. But more rewarding
than driving past is to stop
and take a look. And so one
day we did just that.
Above the rowan is a
small hill that I bet you have
driven past many times
without looking at twice.
I hope next time you are
crossing from Bridge of
Orchy to Glencoe you can
spare an hour or two for it.
It is an undiscovered gem,
with a mysterious memorial.
From our tiny of-road
parking spot we visited
2
A track can be followed up to
a transmitter. From there
make your way uphill to the
summit of Meall Mor.
3
Enjoy the extensive summit
view, then head for Meall
Beag – arguably an even better
viewpoint.
4
In return you can head back
the way you came, or do as
we did and turn the northern cliffs
of Meall Mor to your south for the
shoreline of Lochan na h-Achlaise
and one of the most
photographed views in Scotland.
Gradient proile Metres above sea level
Craig Weldon
takes a stroll
behind the
Rannoch Rowan
The Great Outdoors Spring 2019 87