Corbett · Fife & Perthshire
Meall Tairneachan
Meall Tairneachan — "the thunder hill" — is a rounded 787m Corbett north of Aberfeldy, between Loch Tummel and the Tay valley. With 420m of prominence it stands clearly above its neighbours and gives a trig-pointed summit on a wide grassy dome. The hill is unusual in carrying an active barytes mine on its southern flank — the Foss mine — one of only two industrial sites of its kind in Britain. The view south to Loch Tay and west to Schiehallion is among the finest moderate-hill panoramas in central Perthshire.
Quick facts
- Height
- 787m/ 2582ft
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 645 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN807543
- Parking
- NN790551
- Nearest city
- Perth
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
mine track 35% · rough hillside 30% · mossy ridge 25% · trig point 10%
Start from the small parking area off the B846 at Foss on the south shore of Loch Tummel. Follow the mine access track south-west around the Foss workings, then leave it and climb pathless heather and grass slopes onto the broad east ridge of Meall Tairneachan. Around 14km return with 645m of ascent. Often combined with neighbouring Farragon Hill across the bealach for a Perthshire double.
Terrain
The Foss mine track is firm gravel — bike-able as far as the workings. Off the track the ground is rough heather and grass with no path; the climb is gentle but slow. The summit dome is mossy turf with the trig pillar at the highest point. No exposure or scrambling. Stay clear of the active mine workings on the south flank.
In winter
A friendly winter Corbett — gentle gradients, no avalanche slopes and no cornicing of consequence. The B846 along Loch Tummel is gritted and reliable. The summit dome catches easterly snowfall in the Perthshire weather pattern. Daylight is short but the short approach makes a single hill manageable.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 57m
- Edinburgh2h 57m
OS maps: OS Landranger 52
Mobile signal: Reasonable signal along Loch Tummel; intermittent on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:34
- Sunset
- 21:52
- Civil dawn
- 03:35
- Civil dusk
- 22:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall Tairneachan.
Around Meall Tairneachan on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Blair Atholl station
Beinn a Ghlo; Glen Tilt corridor north to the Cairngorms
13km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aberfeldy
Loch Tay base — Ben Lawers, Tarmachan ridge, Birks of Aberfeldy
7km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy — heart of Dewar's blends; honey-and-heather Highland style
8km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Meall Tairneachan — common questions
- How hard is Meall Tairneachan?
- Meall Tairneachan is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 645m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: The Foss mine track is firm gravel — bike-able as far as the workings.
- Where do I park for Meall Tairneachan?
- Standard parking is at NN790551 near Perth. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Meall Tairneachan?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall Tairneachan are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Meall Tairneachan?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Meall Tairneachan?
- Reasonable signal along Loch Tummel; intermittent on the summit
- Is Meall Tairneachan safe in winter?
- A friendly winter Corbett — gentle gradients, no avalanche slopes and no cornicing of consequence. The B846 along Loch Tummel is gritted and reliable. The summit dome catches easterly snowfall in the Perthshire weather pattern. Daylight is short but the short approach makes a single hill manageable.