Scotland
Clach Leathad
1099M
3606FT
About Clach Leathad
Standing as a formidable sentinel on the Black Mount ridge, this high Munro Top offers a rugged, rocky alternative to the busy ski slopes of its neighbour, Meall a' Bhuiridh. Its steep eastern crags drop dramatically towards Rannoch Moor, providing an alpine feel and exceptional views across the vast, watery wilderness.
Key Statistics
Rank
9th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
67.8m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
This peak is built from solid granite-like rock, cut through by narrow bands of hard, crystalline stone that cooled deep beneath the Earth's surface.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NN240493
Latitude
56.6026°N
Longitude
4.8682°W
Did You Know?
- •Derived from the Scottish Gaelic Clach Leathad, the name translates simply as 'stony slope'. It is an apt description for the bouldery, wind-scoured plateau that characterises the upper reaches of this Black Mount giant.
- •For nearly a century, this was classified as a Munro in its own right. It lost its status in the 1981 revision of the tables when the slightly higher Meall a' Bhuiridh was deemed the primary summit of the massif, relegating Clach Leathad to Munro Top status.
- •The summit provides one of the most comprehensive views of Rannoch Moor. From the cairn, the vast expanse of peat bog and lochans stretches out towards Schiehallion in the east, while the sharp peaks of the Orchy hills dominate the southern horizon.
- •It is often climbed as part of a grand traverse of the Black Mount, linked via a high, narrow col to Meall a' Bhuiridh. This ridge is notably rocky and can provide a challenging navigational exercise in misty conditions compared to the broader slopes nearby.
- •Despite being a magnificent viewpoint and a significant physical climb, it is often bypassed by those using the Glencoe Mountain Resort chairlift to 'bag' its neighbour, leaving the summit to those who prefer their mountain silence earned.