Schiehallion
Schiehallion (translated as Fairy Hill of the Caledonians) is one of Scotland's best known landmarks and best loved hills. Hillwalkers, locals and visitors alike affectionately regard this hill as the `Matterhorn of Perthshire`. It is 3547ft (1083m) high, has an almost perfect conical shape (when viewed from the west) and enjoys a splendid isolation from other peaks.
Many visitors, including Queen Victoria, have gazed at Schiehallion's broad eastern flank across Loch Tummel from Queen's View. 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 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.
The John Muir Trust owns 935 hectares of the mountain including the summit and 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 work on the footpath. For further information about the John Muir Trust see also the entry under EAST SCHIEHALLION and visit the excellent Trust website (address given above)
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. Whilst on Schiehallion look out for birds of prey soaring and hunting over the mountain and moorland birds such as grouse, ptarmigan and whinchats. Walkers may also catch sight of red deer moving gracefully across the hilly terrain.
OS Landranger map 52.
Contact
Aberfeldy Tourist Information Centre
Schiehallion
Brues of Foss
nr Tummel Bridge
Perthshire
PH15
Scotland
Tel: +44 (1887) 820276
Fax: +44 (1887) 829495
E-Mail: aberfeldytic@perthshire.co.uk
WWW: http://www.jmt.org.uk
