Meall na Spianaig

Rising above the Blair Atholl estate, this rounded Grampian moorland summit offers a quieter alternative to the neighbouring Beinn a’ Ghlo massif. The ascent across heather and peat reveals expansive views northward to the sharp peak of Carn Liath and down the length of Glen Tilt, making it a rewarding, solitary outing.

• •The name is Gaelic, with Meall meaning a rounded hill, while Spianaig is thought to derive from spian, meaning a skin or peeling, possibly referring to areas where the surface turf has been eroded or stripped back.
• •From the summit, you get a particularly clear profile of Carn Liath, the southernmost peak of Beinn a’ Ghlo, whose distinctive white quartzite scree slopes dominate the northern skyline.
• •Situated within the historic Atholl Estate, the hill sits at the gateway to the Forest of Atholl, overlooking the confluence of the River Tilt and the River Garry.
• •Despite standing at over 2,000 feet, the hill is frequently overlooked by walkers who treat its lower slopes merely as a scenic backdrop for the approach toward the more famous Munros further north.