Sgiath Chùil

Sgiath Chùil, at 935 metres, is an unspectacular mountain between Glen Dochart and Glen Lochay, its summit sitting atop a small crag when viewed from the south, and usually climbed together with neighbouring Meall Glas despite a low, steep-sided bealach separating them.

The route starts from the A85 at the driveway to Auchessan, with limited parking for a couple of cars near the start of the track or on the verge. A tarmac lane crosses a bridge over the River Dochart, with both Munros visible ahead rising above the moor, before passing a farmhouse and following a path alongside the Allt Riobain — muddy in places but scenically rewarding, with small waterfalls fringed by trees and views back over Glen Dochart to Ben More. The path fades near the top of a plantation; from here the route continues above the burn to a sleeper bridge, crosses near a dam, and heads directly for Sgiath Chùil across wet moorland that steepens on drier grass higher up to the summit, a fine viewpoint with Ben Lawers, Ben Vorlich, and Stùc a' Chròin all visible.

From the summit, most walkers continue north along a broad ridge over the minor top of Meall a' Churain before an extremely steep, brutal descent to the bealach separating Sgiath Chùil from Meall Glas — among the steepest connecting ground of any regularly paired Munros — followed by a demanding reascent to Meall Glas.

The round trip taking in both Munros from Auchessan is around 15-16 kilometres, typically six to eight hours given the steep, largely pathless terrain between the summits.

Given the severity of the connecting bealach, some walkers choose to climb the two Munros as separate outings rather than one combined day — this is a legitimate and sensible option, particularly in wet conditions when the steep grassy slopes become genuinely slippery and hazardous.

Parking at Auchessan is very limited, holding only a couple of cars, with additional space on the A85 verge; there is no public transport to the start.