A glorious spring day on Meall na Fearna

Hill: Meall na Fearna (Hill of the Alder)

Type: Corbett

Height: 809m

Vorlich from the start, Fearna not seen for a long time yet

This hill had been on my to-do list for a long time but kept getting passed by due to the often negative reviews about the hill in poor conditions. So, it had been kept on the back burner until I had a guaranteed good viewing day and today was definitely that day.

Parked up for an early start and it was a glorious spring morning. Chatted to 4 youngsters who were doing Vorlich as an MTB route, aah to be young and have that fitness.

My modest start was steep enough where I met the estate stalker and spent an interesting 10 minutes chewing the cud. One interesting stat he told me was that 10 years ago there were about 8000 red deer in this area, at the last count 2500 and he said the government agencies want to cull that further. Soon red deer will be a rarity.

Easy to miss the turn

It was not long before I cut off from the Vorlich trail and enjoyed the walk in low bright sunshine. A slow steady plod alongside the snowy slopes of Vorlich making good time to about the 400m level.

There are a few options but talking to the ghillie was helpful. I avoided both the direct assault up Domhnuill and the continuation up the glen. I opted for a middle course with good grassy conditions, easy to avoid the heather.

1st View

End of the hags. The summit climb is steeper than it looks in the snap

Then I arrived at the reputational peat hags and these were impressive. Many were above head height and although in the middle of a dry spell there were plenty of muddy/wet moments. About 30 minutes of hag dodging before I got to the final slopes. 

Now it reminds you that this is a Corbett. I opted against a frontal assault and moved around to an easier but still steep ascent to the summit.

Distant Ben More etc

Ascent route via the smoke

Vorlich centre, Stuc a'Chroin left

Heading left of hags on descent but you still meet them

The views were magnificent, no doubt aided by the snow remaining on many tops but this was really superb. So glad I waited for this moment. As I stood on the summit a golden eagle appeared between me and Vorlich but the camera would not focus properly against the background so enjoyed the brief moment with eyesight only. 

Every pool had these guys

Loch Earn now in view

About to meet Vorlich path

Posing Nuthatch

From above I spotted a potentially better route which was indeed better and headed back down the slopes to finally rejoin the initial ATV track. All that remained was a beautiful warm spring sunlit descent back to the car.

Despite my initial reservations today was a wee cracker and my face is feeling the effects of the sun. Certainly a good weather walk and today was just that.

Ascent: 740m

Distance: 12.4km

Time: 4.06

Wildlife: Golden Eagle; Raven; Wheatear; Common Frog; Common Lizard; Meadow Pipit; Nuthatch; Skylark; Dipper