Perthshire
Glen Lyon — Walking Guide
Glen Lyon is the longest enclosed glen in Scotland at 56km — a winding, gradually narrowing valley from Fortingall to the Lochan na Lairige dam.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:22
- Sunset
- 21:05
- Civil dawn
- 04:35
- Civil dusk
- 21:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
About Glen Lyon
Glen Lyon is the longest enclosed glen in Scotland at 56km — a winding, gradually narrowing valley from Fortingall to the Lochan na Lairige dam. It contains a cluster of accessible Munros including Ben Lawers, Stuchd an Lochain and Meall nan Tarmachan.
Getting there
From Aberfeldy: Bridge of Lyon road running west. Fortingall at the eastern entrance is the main village. Ben Lawers NTS car park on the south side of the glen via the minor road over the pass. No public transport.
When to go
Glen Lyon has one of the longest flowering seasons in Scotland — the Ben Lawers massif is a National Nature Reserve specifically because of the exceptional variety of alpine flowers (mountain saxifrage, alpine gentian, mountain avens), best seen in June and July. Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan ridge are excellent winter hills when there is snow — straightforward approach from the NTS car park, and the ridge walk in winter gives fine panoramas across to Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms. The lower glen is peaceful year-round; autumn (October) brings red deer rutting and fine turning colour along the River Lyon.
Highlights
- Ben Lawers (highest Munro in the southern Highlands)
- Meall nan Tarmachan ridge
- Stuchd an Lochain
- Fortingall Yew (ancient tree)
- river walks through the lower glen
Hills in and around Glen Lyon
| Hill | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Meall Garbh | munro | 1123m |
| An Stuc | munro | 1117m |
| Meall Greigh | munro | 1000m |
| Meall a' Choire Leith | munro | 925m |
| Ben Lawers | munro | 1214m |
| Carn Gorm | munro | 1029m |
| Meall Corranaich | munro | 1067m |
| Beinn Ghlas | munro | 1103m |
| Beinn Dearg | corbett | 830m |
| Meall nam Maigheach | corbett | 778m |
| Meall Garbh | munro | 967m |
| Meall na Aighean | munro | 982m |
| Carn Mairg | munro | 1043m |
| Meall a' Mhuic | graham | 745m |
| Meall nan Tarmachan | munro | 1043m |
| Beinn nan Oighreag | corbett | 909m |
| Cam Chreag | corbett | 861m |
| Schiehallion | munro | 1083m |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ben Lawers the highest hill in the southern Highlands?
- Yes — Ben Lawers at 1,214m is the highest summit in the southern Highlands and the tenth-highest mountain in Britain. It lies on the northern flanks of Glen Lyon and is managed by the National Trust for Scotland as part of the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. The standard ascent from the NTS car park (at 435m) takes around 3–4 hours return for a fit walker.
- What is the Fortingall Yew?
- The Fortingall Yew in the churchyard at the eastern entrance to Glen Lyon is estimated to be between 2,000 and 5,000 years old — making it the oldest living tree in Britain and possibly in Europe. It is now protected within an iron enclosure. Fortingall village also has associations with Pontius Pilate, whose father was supposedly stationed at the Roman fort here.
- Can I drive the full length of Glen Lyon?
- A single-track road runs the full 56km length of the glen from Fortingall to beyond Lubreoch Dam — passing through Bridge of Balgie where there is a small tearoom. The road becomes very narrow beyond Bridge of Balgie. There is no through-route; you must return the same way or take the high pass road over to Killin. Allow 2 hours for the full drive each way.
- Are there easier walks in Glen Lyon besides the Munros?
- Yes — the lower glen has excellent riverside and woodland walks along the Lyon, particularly between Fortingall and Bridge of Balgie. The Tarmachan Ridge is a beautiful mountain walk at a slightly lower standard than Ben Lawers. Machuim Farm area has gentle walks. For families, the riverbanks in the lower glen are ideal for a picnic day with very easy terrain.