SGIATH CHUIL GM/CS-042 AND MEALL GLAS GM/CS-033

MONDAY 25TH APRIL 2011

SGIATH CHUIL-Meaning the corner wing.      Grid reference NN463318.   Height-3,021 feet.

The day was Easter Monday and it was a good opportunity to take in a couple more munro’s and earn a few more sota points.6am rise and after a few last-minute gatherings i was off and running at 0730 for the fifty-three mile drive North up past the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond until reaching Crianlarich where i branched off towards Killin,just after passing Loch Lubhair in Glen Dochart the walk begins on the access road to Auchessan farm.

From the farm both of todays summits can be seen from above the moorland,soon the first obstacle of the day is encountered as the path leads through farmland-a herd of wild horned highland cattle guarding the gate and a single menacing looking goat which looked like it did’nt know whether to run or attack.I managed to sneak on by but one of the girls in a group following up behind got a kick off it.

The path takes a few swings and is very enjoyable at this stage with nice views down Glen Dochart,Ben More dominates from the South.passing some lovely rock pools alongside the stream the path eventually opens up onto the moorland where the track disappears,just before reaching a dam the burn is crossed and the mighty clamber up the SW side slope of Sgiath Chuil is made.A strange summit is eventually reached as you cant see it untill the last few minutes coming in from that direction.

Despite being a national holiday there were few folk around,even less on the radio as i found out soon after setting up the 2 meter equipment,Bobby GM7GAX/P was standing by on Corlic hill above Port Glasgow for my first contact,only another four stations worked before a few pictures taken and some sandwiches eaten.I could see Meall Glas on the opposite ridge and knew what was ahead so time to move on.

Headed off on a track Northbound until i reached a bealach where i descended off down very steep slopes until reaching level ground around 600m to be faced with another steep haul up to 937m where the top is reached,namely Beinn Cheathaich.From this point i can focus in on my last summit of Meall Glas which lay 1km the the West along a relatively straight forward path.

Meall Glass meaning-Greenish ,  Grey hill  Grid Ref-NN431322 , Height- 3,145 feet (959 metres)

On arrival at the summit i was joined by two other solitary walkers ,the wx had improved as the day went on and great views were had all around.Ben Nevis was clear to the North and the heat of the sun was stirring up a haze over the peaks further West,there was a very cold North wind blowing but was able to shelter in behind the summit cairn,after a bit more to eat i set up the radio again.

And again old faithful Bobby was still standing by for the 1st on the 2nd hill,a further six contacts were made with best distance down to a mobile station on M74 near Lesmahagow.I could hear G & GI stations but unable to return the call back.Time was getting on and it was going to take at least a couple of hours to return to the car,without delay it was time to pack up and head over pathless boggy moorland for the walkout.

Hazy view from summit

Overall,i had an enjoyable day out with great weather,2 meters on the radio side were pretty poor but perhaps more people were working than sitting in shacks or maybe the signals were blocked by the over shadowing beast of Ben More? who knows.Hopefully wont be too long before im back out again,thanks for Ken (AXY) in Edinburgh and to Bobby (gm7gax) in Inverclyde for the sota spots.

73

2M0GIL..

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