Page Type:
|
Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
56.32994°N / 4.2384°W |
Activities:
|
Hiking, Mountaineering |
Season:
|
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation:
|
3199 ft / 975 m |
|
Overview
Stuc a'Chroin is located just south of Loch Earn in Stirlingshire. As this is one of only three Munros in the area around the town of Callander it attracts a lot of climbers. The popularity is more evident in May when the annual Stuc a'Chroin 5000 hillrace takes place. The current course record times for this race are: Men : 1.59.22 and Women : 2.22.47. Not my preffered option for climbing a mountain but hey, each to their own.
Stuc a'Chroin stands at 3199 feet high and is listed as number 182 in the Munros table.
The translation of Stuc a'Chroin (pronounced: stook a kroin) from Gaelic is Peak of Danger. This probably comes from its steep north-east face with its rocky butress giving the peak its great character. The rocky butress rises from the Bealach an Dubh Choirein, which connects to the mountain Ben Vorlich, to a cairned summit north of the true summit. This butress provides some fairly loose scrambling which is best avoided if you are not used to it. This can be done by taking the steep, eroded path that branches off to the right.
There are three ridges to Stuc a'Chroin; the south-east ridge drops to Arivurichardich at the head of Keltie water, the south-west ridge goes to Beinn Each above Loch Lubnaig and the north-west ridge that drops steeply down into Glen Ample. The views from the summit are vast and include; The Arrochar Alps, Ben Lomond, Crianlarich Hills and the Ben Lawers Range.
There are various points to start your ascent from. These are; Callandar (longest route), Ardchullarie More (5 miles nort-west of Callandar)or at Glen Ample (1 mile east of Lochearnhead on the shores of Loch Earn)
Approx time taken: 5 to 8 hours (depending on chosen route).
Getting There
AIRPORTS
If arriving in Scotland and making your way to Ben Chonzie, near Crieff, then the best airports to arrive in are;
Glasgow Airport
Edinburgh Airport
CAR
Car directions to Stuc a'Chroin from Glasgow and Edinburgh can be seen on the embedded map below. Click on the view larger map link for more detailed directions.
View Larger Map
BUS
Available bus services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Callander or it's surrounding areas can be found at Scottish Citylink
Local bus travel details can be found here; Callander Transport Services
TRAIN
The nearest train station to Callander is either Dunblane or Stirling. Train links to Dunblane/Stirling are available from all major cities in Scotland, although connecting trains may be required. Train timetables are available at National Rail Enquiries
Red Tape
There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.
The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;
- Seek local advice in regard to deer stalking or grouse shooting activities
- Ensure that all gates are closed behind you
- During the lambing season (March to May) ensure that all dogs are kept on a lead
- Please refrain from feeding or annoying any animals
- Limited parking space is available at the start of many routes, please ensure that you are not blocking a road and/or entrance
- Parking is provided at the start of some routes by the local farmers, it is polite to ask if you can use this facility
- Try to refrain from crossing fields with animals and/or crops if an alternative route is available
- Ensure that you treat the local environment with care by leaving it as you found it and by taking any litter home with you
- Any camp fires should be carefully watched and only used away from dense forest areas
Where to stay
View over Bealach an Dubh Choirein.
Hotels
The Waverly Hotel
Abbotsford Lodge
Poppies Hotel
B&B's/Lodges
Arden House
The Old Rectory
Hostels/Campsites
Mains Farm Wigwams
Trossachs Tryst
Wild Camping
Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations close to Stuc a'Chroin. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier.
Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;
- The larger the group, the harder it is to keep impacts to a minimum. Keep groups small.
- Camp as unobtrusively as possible.
- Remember that noise travels from tents disturbing wildlife as well as humans.
- Enjoy the freedom of wild camping without leaving a trace of your passage. Protect our country's outstanding scenery and wildlife as well as the wilderness experience.
- Camping on the same spot harms vegetation. Aim to move frequently and do not stay for any longer than 3 nights in the same place.
- Lighting fires poses a high fire risk on peaty soils and close to tinder dry grass. A high risk of fire can exist at any time of year, and not just in times of drought.
- Watercourses and loch sides are important sites for birds and animals. Take extra care when camping near burns and lochs, and try to avoid camping immediately beside them.
- Always find a spot at least 30 metres from fresh/running water when going to the toilet.
- Bury excrement in a small hole (not under boulders). A trowel or ice axe can be used to lift a flap of turf.
- Remove all litter (even other peoples!) Think ahead and only carry in what you are prepared to carry out.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland provides an invaluable leaflet providing a full breakdown of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland. Wild Camping, A guide to good practice.
Books and Maps
Books
The Southern Highlands by Donald Bennet
The Munros (SMC Hillwalkers guide) edited by Donald Bennet & Rab Anderson
Ski Mountaineering in Scotland by Donald Bennet & Bill Wallace
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
The Munros by Cameron McNeish
Maps
OS sheet 51 Loch Tay & Glen Dochart
OS sheet 57 Stirling & The Trossachs
OS Explorer 368 Crieff, Comrie & Glen Artney
Mountain conditions
Stuc a'Chroin.
On the summit of Stuc a'Chroin.
Stuc a'Chroin is accessible all year round however, as you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland, care should be taken at all times.
Southeastern Highlands Mountain Forecast
Mountain weather forecast
Avalanche forecast
External Links
Visit Scotland
Discover Scotland
Undiscovered Scotland
Walk the Highlands
The Scottish Mountaineering Club
Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland