Meall Garbh

Not to be confused with one of the several other Meall Garbhs in the vicinity, this mountain lies in the north eastern end of the Ben Lawers range and has Meall Greigh and An Stuc as its immediate neighbours. Thanks to its impressive collection of mountainous friends, you can easily bag multiple summits in one adventure, extending or shortening your day as you please. 

Meall Garbh has Munro status and reaches 3,684 feet (1,123 m). Combined with Meall Greigh and An Stuc, it forms part of a trio that cluster around Lochan nan Cat, creating particularly magnificent vistas from the top. Whilst you’ll likely encounter bogs and a scramble if you continue to An Stuc, there’s nothing technically challenging on this mountain.

A majestic Munro with staggering views in the Ben Lawers range

The best starting point of an ascent of Meall Garbh is in the hamlet of Lawers, on the shores of Loch Tay. You can pay to park at the hotel or in a farmer’s field in high season and the trail begins a short way north, up the road and to the left, on a track leading into a pocket of birch woodland. As you make your way towards the mountains, you can spot numerous shielings (old shepherd huts) dotted around. You can either ascend Meall Greigh and follow the ridge around to Meall Garbh or continue to Lochan nan Cat and ascend Meall Garbh directly. 

When you reach the top, the panorama that greets you is well worth the thigh burn of the ascent. An Stuc is one of the most eye-catching peaks in your view, as the bealach between drops far below and this next Munro rises steeply from it. Ben Lawers looms behind, urging you onwards to a greater adventure. There’s a cairn at the summit and fabulous views down the corrie to the east.