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One of Scotland's best known landmarks and best loved hills, Schiehallion lies between Loch Tay and Loch Tummel, 10 miles north of Aberfeldy off the B846. The mountain (3547ft/1083m) enjoys splendid isolation from other peaks and, when viewed from the west , has an almost perfect conical shape - some local people even think of it affectionately as the Matterhorn of Scotland!!
Many visitors, including Queen Victoria, have gazed across Loch Tummel at Schiehallion's broad eastern flank (pictured left). The mountain also holds a unique place in scientific history. In the 18th century Schiehallion was chosen as the site of the first ever measurement of the mass of the earth, conducted by the Astronomer Royal (Neville Maskelyne) in 1774. The calculation was based on the way that the mountains own mass caused a pendulum to pull away from the vertical.
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Caring for the land
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Wild land charity, the John Muir Trust owns 935 hectares of Schiehallion including the summit, the main path and the wonderfully wild Gleann Mor on the southern side. The Trust is breathing new life into the mountain and has done extensive restoration and realignment work on the footpath. Visitors can take a short stroll from the Braes of Foss car park or, for experienced hillwalkers with a high level of fitness, climb to the summit to enjoy invigorating wild views over the Great Moor of Rannoch.
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Limestone pavements and blanket bogs
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The slopes of Schiehallion are noted for their rich botanical life. Plants thriving on the nutrients provided by the patches of rare limestone `pavement` include dogs mercury, lily of the valley and wood anenome. Blanket bog and heather moorland are significant habitats - changing colour with the seasons and nurturing heathers, mosses and blaeberry. In the longer term, the John Muir Trust hopes to plant native woodlands on the lower slopes of the hill to encourage wildlife and add interest for human visitors who don't want to climb to the heights.
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More than 60 bird species
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Whilst on Schiehallion look out for birds of prey soaring and hunting over the mountain - kestrel, hen harrier and buzzards are regularly sighted. Moorland areas provide a good chance of seeing species such as red grouse, ptarmigan and wheatears. RSPB records show more than 60 different bird species breeding or hunting in the area - so keep your eyes and ears peeled as you wander through this beautiful landscape. Red deer numbers are increasing locally and walkers may catch sight of herds moving gracefully across the hilly terrain.
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Further information
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The car park at Braes of Foss (Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 51) is open throughout the year and has information boards relating to the mountain and the area. The path is clearly seen from the car park.
Access to the summit ridge of Schiehallion requires a high level of fitness and appropriate outdoor clothing due to the mountainous terrain. Weather conditions can change quickly at any time of year.
For further information about Schiehallion and the work of the John Muir Trust visit
John Muir Trust
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Schiehallion has no subtlety,
striking up from Scotland's centre - a Pharaoh's idea of a mountain. Tom Berry
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The path is a `stalker style` one - this means it is narrow and aims for a consistent gradient
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