Schiehallion is arguably the most ‘mystical’ of all the Scottish Munros – its name means ‘Fairy Hill of the Caledonians’ .
Otherwise known as the ‘constant storm’ due to the often changeable weather conditions on its slopes, Schiehallion is still a great beginners Munro due to the well-made path most of the way up the mountain, that is until you reach the legendary (and very hard!) boulder field at the top.
Here is how to climb Schiehallion.
How to climb Schiehallion
Schiehallion is located in Perth and Kinross near Loch Rannoch. The walk up Schiehallion starts from the Braes of Foss car park. The nearest postcode is PH16 5NN.
The walk starts from the end of the car park (£3 for the day) and follows a well made path, built and maintained by the John Muir Trust. The path takes you right to the ridge at the top of Schiehallion, where it becomes a boulder field. Great care is needed here – the boulders can be tricky.
The top of Schiehallion sits on a small rock pinnacle, with short drops to all sides. On a good day there are fabulous views from the top at 1083 metres. The return is the same way.
Beginner? Read my beginner’s guide to climbing a Munro before you head out into the hills and tips for starting hillwalking in Scotland.
Schiehallion route maps
- OS – You will need 0L49 Pitlochry*
- Walkhighlands – Schiehallion
With a reasonable level of fitness, the walk up this Munro will take around 4 hours from the roadside, although I’d leave around 5 hours + for the full walk.
Best time to climb Schiehallion?
Scotland’s weather is best in May and September. Don’t attempt climbing Schiehallion in winter unless you have winter gear and experience. For weather forecasts, I recommend you check out:
For those experience in winter conditions, and with winter gear (ice axe, crampons and knowledge of how to use them) Schiehallion is a great winter hill.
How hard is it to climb Schiehallion?
The climb up Schiehallion is on a well made path – until you reach the dreaded boulder field which can be tough and slippery. Good boots with grip are recommended.
However, Schiehallion is a great Munro for beginners as there is a clear route most of the way to the top. You will need navigation experience as in mist, low clouds or fog, you can easily get disorientated.
Whilst this is an easier Munro, don’t climb up expecting a wee trip up Arthur’s Seat. You will need hill walking gear and be prepared for the weather to change in a heartbeat – mist, fog and rain can sweep in quickly.
If you haven’t hill walked before, have a look at my beginners guide to hillwalking in Scotland – and make sure you have means of navigation in the mist and fog!
How to get to Schiehallion and Schiehallion Braes of Foss Car Park
Parking for Schiehallion is at The Braes of Foss car park. The charge to park at Braes of Foss is £3 for the day for cars, or £10 for a minibus or coach. You can pay by coins or Ringo – but be aware you might need to climb the hill to get a signal.
Why is Schiehallion called the Fairy Hill of the Caledonians?
Schiehallion or Sìth Chailleann in Gaelic means Fairy Hill of the Caledonians, or constant storm.
There are many stories associated with the mountain, the most famous being the magical cave called Uamh Tom a’Mhor-fhir on the west side of the mountain, which is said to lead to a passage that completely traverses the mountain and was home to fairies.
Why not climb Sciehallion and see if you can meet any?
Frequently asked questions about Schiehallion
What does Schiehallion mean?
Schiehallion comes from the Gaelic Sìth Chailleann, meaning ‘Fairy Hill of the Caledonians’, though it is also sometimes translated as ‘constant storm’. The most famous legend associated with the mountain is a magical cave called Uamh Tom a’Mhor-fhir on the west side, said to lead to a passage traversing the entire mountain and home to fairies.
How long does it take to climb Schiehallion?
With a reasonable level of fitness, the walk takes around 4 hours from the car park. Allow 5 hours or more for the full round trip. The path is well made for most of the route until it gives way to the boulder field near the summit.
How high is Schiehallion?
Schiehallion is 1,083m (3,553ft) high, making it one of the higher beginner Munros in Scotland. The summit sits on a small rocky pinnacle with short drops to all sides.
How hard is Schiehallion to climb?
Schiehallion is a good Munro for beginners — the John Muir Trust has built and maintained a clear, well-made path for most of the route. The difficulty increases significantly at the top where the path gives way to a boulder field that requires care and good grip on your boots. In mist or low cloud navigation experience is needed as the upper mountain can be disorientating.
When is the best time to climb Schiehallion?
May and September offer the best weather conditions. Do not attempt Schiehallion in winter without ice axe, crampons and the skills to use them — the boulder field becomes particularly treacherous in icy conditions. Always check the forecast on MWIS, the Met Office Mountain Weather or Mountain Forecast before heading out.
Where do you park for Schiehallion?
Parking is at the Braes of Foss car park near Loch Rannoch in Perthshire (nearest postcode PH16 5NN). The charge is £3 for cars or £10 for a minibus. Payment is by coins or Ringo — note that you may need to climb partway up the hill to get a phone signal to pay by app.
Love, from Scotland x
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