The Sow of Atholl [Meall an Dobharchain]

About The Sow of Atholl [Meall an Dobharchain]

Rising steeply above the A9 at the Pass of Drumochter, this Corbett provides a swift, relentless ascent with immediate rewards. Its rounded profile masks a rugged character, offering a superb vantage point directly across the glen to the Boar of Badenoch and west towards the expansive surface of Loch Ericht.

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Did You Know?

• •The Gaelic name Meall an Dobharchain translates as 'hill of the water-cress,' likely referring to the vegetation found in the damp gullies on its slopes. The English name, The Sow of Atholl, pairs it with the Boar of Badenoch (An Torc) on the opposite side of the pass, marking the traditional boundary between the two regions.
• •It is frequently bagged alongside its higher Munro neighbour, Sgairneach Mhòr, but its position on the edge of the Drumochter Pass gives it a much more dramatic sense of verticality than the larger, flatter plateaus nearby.
• •The summit offers a unique 'birds-eye' view of the Highland Main Line railway and the A9 road, allowing walkers to watch the progress of trains and traffic through the narrow glacial trough of the pass far below.
• •Its proximity to the A9 makes it one of the most accessible Corbetts in Scotland, offering the rare opportunity to reach a significant high-altitude plateau within an hour of leaving the car.
• •Its position makes it a useful indicator for local weather; if the Sow has its 'cap' of cloud on, walkers heading further north into the Monadhliath or Cairngorms can usually expect a damp day ahead.