Meall nan Tarmachan seen from the path used in ascent.
Meaning - Hill of the Ptarmigan
Summit Location - NN58526, 38997
Height - 1044m
Munro Number - 89
Distance - 12.9km
Total Ascent - 852m
Estimated Time - 1.75hrs up / 1.5hrs across / 1.5hrs down
Difficulty - 3/5
OS Explorer Map - OL48
Climbed - 2017
Weather - Cloudy but dry with little wind.
Meall nan Tarmachan is probably one of the easier Munros to climb, thanks to a fairly
high start and good paths lovingly cared for by National Trust for Scotland. If you’re
solely interested in bagging as many Munros as you can as quickly as possible, this
will probably prove one of the easier peaks. But if you really want to appreciate
this peak you should consider extending this walk.
Meall nan Tarmachan sits at one end of a ridge which takes in three other peaks over
900m. Meall Garbh, in the middle of the ridge is one good looking mountain, even
if it lacks Munro status. The view of the ridge, and the walk you’ll have undertaken,
from Creag na Caillich is a great view. And if you’ve come this far, a satifying
view to look back on.
Continuing along the ridge will involve a little scrambling (Grade I), which seems
a little trickier than it’s grade belies as you have to descend the scrambly bit,
the rock is rather polished and it can’t be avoided easily. It’s not overly difficult
but will give you pause for thought.
I climbed the ridge on a cloudy but dry day. The clouds were just flirting with the
summits but the views were mostly unobscured. The last part of the climb to Meall
nan Tarmachan is rather sleep but on a good path. If you didn’t want to continue
along the ridge you could descend by the route of ascent, but unless the weather
is turning or nightfall approaching you’ll have a much better day if you take in
the whole ridge.
Route
1 - Park in the parking area about one kilometre north of the main Ben Lawyers parking
area. Follow the track across the bridge over the burn and continue past several
gates. After around half a kilometre you’ll see an obvious path heading uphill to
your right. Follow this.
2 - This path climbs steadily and eventually reaches a minor top just to the south
of Meall nan Tarmachan. The path descends to a col and then climbs at a much steeper
gradient up the southern slopes of the Munro. The path makes a fairly significant
switchback just before reaching the summit.
3 - To make an early exit, return by route of ascent. If everything is going well
and you’d like to continue, descend a broad ridge to the southwest. You’ll reach
a col with some pools of water before starting the climb to Meall Garbh, a rather
pointy looking peak but with a good path to the top.
4 - After Meall Garbh the ridge narrows considerably, though there’s still a good
path. A very short scramble (one or two easy moves) takes you down on to a broader
ridge. After a couple of hundred metres the path appears to fall off a cliff edge.
There’s a short but steep scramble down to a col before Beinn nan Eachan. It’s not
overly difficult but you’ll likely pause to give it some thought as the rock is quite
slippery and there’s no obvious way to avoid the scramble. Take care, think about
where you’re putting your hands and feet and you’ll be in the col in no time.
5 - A simple, easy climb on an obvious path takes you to the top on Beinn nan Eachan
and then on to Creag na Caillich where the ridge ends.
6 - To descend, retrace your steps to the col between Creag na Caillich and Beinn
nan Eachan. You should see an eroded path heading down into Coire Fionn-Lairige to
your right. Follow this, but as you descend and hit boggy ground you’ll probably
lose it. If you’re not sure where to head try to stay high and aim for the ridge
south of Beinn nan Eachan. You can then descend this. The aim is to hit the dogleg
on the track close to the quarry.
7 - Follow this track for just over four kilometres to you reach your start point.
