Meall a' Mhuic

Rising above the northern flanks of Glen Lyon, this rounded Graham offers a quieter alternative to the nearby Lawers range. Its broad, heathery slopes lead to a sprawling summit plateau where the terrain can be boggy, but the reward is a stellar view across to the sharp, dark profile of the Tarmachan Ridge.

• •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as 'Hill of the Pig' or 'Hill of the Sow.' While 'muc' appears in many Highland place names, it usually refers to the rounded, bulky shape of a hill resembling a pig's back rather than the presence of the animals themselves.
• •It is most commonly ascended from the high pass of the Lairig Ghallabhaich on the road connecting Glen Lyon and Loch Rannoch. This starting point provides a significant height advantage, making the climb considerably shorter than its 745-metre elevation suggests.
• •The summit offers a unique perspective on Schiehallion to the northeast; from here, the mountain loses its famous 'whaleback' symmetry and appears as a much broader, more complex massif.
• •Despite being a Marilyn in its own right, this hill is frequently bypassed by walkers heading for its higher neighbour, the Corbett Meall nam Maigheach, which sits just across the high moorland to the east.
• •The 'Hill of the Pig' name feels particularly appropriate during a wet Scottish autumn, when the heavy peat hags across the summit plateau create a landscape that any self-respecting sow would find comfortably wallow-worthy.