Meall Gaothach

Meall Gaothach, or the 'Windy Hill,' is a modest Trossachs sentinel often ignored by those rushing toward Ben Ledi’s celebrity. At 606m, it offers a serene, slightly soggy escape from the crowds, providing surprisingly grandstand views of Glen Finglas and the surrounding Loch Lomond peaks.

• •Perched above the Glen Finglas estate, this hill overlooks land that was once a royal hunting forest for the Scottish monarchs, including the Stuarts.
• •Geologically, it sits near the Highland Boundary Fault, marking the transition from the rolling Lowlands to the rugged metamorphic rocks of the Grampian Highlands.
• •Despite its name meaning 'Windy Hill,' the dense forestry on its lower flanks often provides a deceptive sense of shelter until you break onto the exposed ridge.
• •It is a prime spot for spotting black grouse if you are early enough, though you are more likely to spot a confused hiker wondering why they didn't just climb Ben Ledi instead.
• •The terrain is essentially a masterclass in 'Trossachs dampness,' where the grass looks solid but actually functions like a giant, mossy sponge designed to test your Gore-Tex's will to live.