Having parked at the visitors center I cycled the 6½ miles to the village of Lawers. The mainly downhill route follows the northern side of Loch Tay. show route map

A good path follows the eastern side of the Lawers burn through a wooded area. Meall Griegh can just be seen here breaking the horizon. Show route map

Approach Meall Greigh. Show route map

Looking west from the summit of Meall Greigh. Ben Lawers is the big hill on the left, just right of Lochan nan Cat is An Stuc, with Meall Garbh being closer still to the right. Show route map - - - - - (mouseOver naming)

A heavy snow shower passes by as we head towards Meall Garbh. Show route map

The aftermath of the shower as the sun comes out Show route map

Cloud and low level mist enhance this magnificent view from Meall Garbh's eastern top. Ben Lawers is the left most hill in the cloud, behind and to its right can just be seen Beinn Ghlas. Further to the right is An Stuc. Then much closer is the true summit of Meall Garbh with its summit ridge. Show route map - - - - - (mouseOver naming)

Spectacular view of An Stuc as the cloud starts to rise and break up. Show route map

Looking west from the summit cairn of Meall Garbh, the cloud having now lifted above the tops. Show route map - - - - - (mouseOver naming)

An Stuc from the bealach. Show route map

..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..>>..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..>>..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..>>..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..> Looking south west over the summit cairn of An Stuc Note the next snow shower coming in on the far right of the image above the distant loch. Show route map - - - - - (mouseOver naming)

Looking north west over Meall a' Choire Leith to the next snow shower closing in. show route map

Looking back to An Stuc and Beinn Garbh as the snow shower arrives. I find a sheltered spot and sit out the 15 minutes it takes for the mini storm to pass over show route map

..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..>>..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..>>..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..>>..Panorama..>>..Scroll Right..> A full 360° Panorama from the summit of Ben Lawers show route map - - - - - (mouseOver naming)

Looking west to Beinn Ghlas. The best of the walk is now over, from Ben Lawers to the visitors center it is most certainly touristville. In the 20 minutes or so I spent at the summit 20 -30 people arrived and left and I possibly passed even more on the motorway type paths on the way back to the hideous visitors center. Sadly Ben Lawers comes in my list of the five worst hills in Scotland, the other four being Nevis, Lomand, Cairngorm and Schiehallion. Maybe these hills should be left for stormy weekdays in February when they may regain some of their character. Show route map

Approaching Beinn Ghlas show route map

Heading down to the visitors center show route map

Total .. 9 Miles, 5500' Ascent
( 27 points of effort )