Sron a Chlachain and Creag Buidhe

Once in Killin make your way to the Breadalbane Park. Easiest way is at the entrance near the school. There is a sign post to sron a chlachain opposite Shutters restaurant.

At far end of the park is Fingal's Stone and the start of the steep climb to Sron a Chlachain. Fingals stone is said to be the resting place of the famous warrior King Fingal. Grand place to have lunch. Go through the gate heading straight up hill towards the stile at the edge of the trees.

Beaware the stile can be slippery in wet conditions. You've now entered one of the ancient woodlands around Killin. Keep an eye out for birds of prey in the area. Red squirrels can be found in Killin so do keep an eye out. Carry on up through the trees heading north then more west. You will leave the trees and go underneath the pylons and following the path gently up to a flatter section.

If you haven't the time to carry on then this is a good place to stop and at least start taking in the stunning views of the Ben Lawers and Meall nan Tarmachan hills and down Loch Tay. The next section is very steep in places and is hard work! Certainly makes this feel like a mountain walk.

As you've come through the steep section you reach a wee knoll with a view of the small crags ahead. Sron a Chlachain refers to the steep slope you have come up after the crags you have then started your ascent to Creag Buidhe. Sron a Chlachain basically means the Nose of the Village which is obvious when approaching along the North side of Loch Tay. Again be careful as you break through the crags as the rocky steps are slippery. Once through the crags you will ascend slightly before trending left toward a large erratic boulder. A final steep ascent next to a stone wall will take you to the 3 Cairns at the top of Creag Buidhe.

There are 3 Cairns at the summit of Creag Buidhe, which is unusual for a small hill. It is probably a strong sign that this has been important in previous times especially when you consider the stunning views on offer. You can now see down Glen Dochart to Ben More and Stob Binnein, plus down Glen Lochaidh to the Forest of Mamlorn. Savour the views before deciding your options. There are 3 decent routes. One is down the old peat road to Killin via the track that runs through craignavie plantation. Beware this is bogey. A longer route is down the peat road into Glen Lochaidh which ends at the Moirlanich Longhouse. The path is not obivous and very wet. The vast majority will want to descend the same way to the Knoll at checkpoint 5.

Once below the crags I would avoid the steep section you have come up and descend to the north of the slope via a small gully line. You will pick up a faint bogey track that contours around the hill. You may see a vague path coming from the left through the top of the crags. This is where the descent for the hill races comes. If you continue contouring you will eventually meet up with checkpoint 4. Be aware there is a section which is quite slippery and muddy. After waypoint 4, continue downhill the same way you came up. If your feeling adventurous the winner of the local hill races can descend the hill in around 5 minutes! A thrilling descent!

Finish up back in Killin.