Schiehallion - Fairy hill of Caledonians

Schiehallion is one of the most iconic Munro's ; surely its symmetrical shape seen from the distance is well recognisable.That feature has attracted people long ago - humans presence on Schiehallion is dated back since 3000 years ago , possibly as a place of ritual practises. The mountain was also the place of scientific experiment in 18th Century by astronomer Nevil Maskelyne , who measured  'the weight of the world' by setting up observatories on either sides of Schiehallion .

                                                                                               

On my way to Schiehallion I stopped at the famous viewpoint nearby Pitlochry , Queen's View . Widely believed to be named after the visit of Queen Victoria in 1866 , but probably, as the inscription says , the spot memorise Queen Isabella , the wife of Robert the Bruce .

View from the viewpoint over Loch Tummel , with Schiehallion seen further beyond the Loch .

After a nice drive through Tay Forest Park , I approached the beginning of the trail  to Schiehallion's summit , which starts from the car park at Braes of Foss . The mountain from that point didn't look so impressive as earlier did over Loch Tummel , loosing somehow the symmetrical shapes of a big cone .

The path leading on the main ridge is clear and well maintained - the John Muir Trust managing the eastern slopes of Schiehallion did well job . There is a few walking paths in Highlands so well maintained . Beside , the very top of Schiehallion is well visible , so it's nearly impossible to get lost .

 From the first cairn on the main ridge , walking is easier as the incline is less steep, although more shattered pebbles appeared.

The final ascent is rugged ; looks like a devil's job - what's more the path disappears and I had to wade in the stony field , stretching wide and up to the very top . Later on I found the path on the left edge of the ridge , where walking was easier on patches of grass.

On the top the views were splendid , the sun shinning and nearly no wind - so that was really nice to sit for a lunch, looking down to Loch Rannoch . More walkers came and sat around the top , enjoying the bright day after the climb .

Later in the afternoon , I was looking over Loch Rannoch toward Schiehallion , so symmetrical shape . The spot where I took the picture is called  locally  ' The shore of the hanging trees ' - in the years following the battle of Culloden in 1746 many clansmen or common cattle thieves were hanged on this shore, as part of campaign to subdue Highlanders by the British Crown . A bit sad story - but anyway it was a good day .