Scottish

Towns

Ben Vorlich

Length: 7-8 miles Height climbed: 2870ft./878m Grade: A Parking: By the roadside Toilet facilities: None Ben Vorlich is a steep-sided, shapely hill with twin peaks which rises to a height of 3224ft/985m from the southern side of Loch Earn. Its undoubted popularity with hillwalkers results partly from its accessible situation in south-western Perthshire and its pyramidal summit - a distinctive feature of the skyline at many points between Perth and Stirling. To reach the start of the walk, drive along the south side of Loch Earn and park in the lay-bys provided near the entrance to Ardvorlich House. The route leads up the drive to the house (there are two drives at Ardvorlich; walkers are asked to use the easterly entrance - the one nearest St. Fillans). Before starting up the drive, you may wish to visit the spot by the side of the road - on the other side of Vorlich Burn - near where are "interred bodies of seven McDonalds of Glencoe", the victims of relatiation to a McDonald raid by the people of Ardvorlich in 1620. The grave was rediscovered in the last century and a stone erected to mark the spot. Walk up the drive and turn right, towards the house, across the Vorlich burn, before turning sharp left through a small gate and on up Glen Vorlich. The path is good here and after about a mile it forks. Follow the right hand path leading up into Coire Buidhe and then onto the broad ridge of Ben Vorlich, which juts out due north from the summit. Follow this ridge to the top of the hill, being careful of the steep, rocky section near the summit. From Ben Vorlich it is possible to see north to Ben Lawers, west to Ben More and Stob Binnein above Glen Dochart and south towards the lowlands, including Stirling Castle and Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. Return by the same route. Last updated November 1999