The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Tonnes of debris closes access road to mountain Travel: Council battles to clear landslip affecting C50 route to Schiehallion
The main road to one of Scotland’s most famous mountains has been blocked by a major landslip.
About 100 tonnes of mud, trees and rocks crashed down on to the Schiehallion road, near Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire yesterday.
An eight-and-ahalf mile stretch was swiftly cordoned-off as construction crews began the battle to clear the carriageway.
Perth and Kinross Council hopes to have the debris
“About 100 tonnes of mud, trees and rocks crashed down”
removed and the road reopened by the weekend.
The route is popular with cyclists all year round and is the most direct way to get to the Schiehallion munro. It is also part of the 85-mile Etape Caledonia circuit.
Most walkers park at the Forestry Commission car park at Braes of Foss, just off the affected route, before tackling the 3,550ft peak.
Neil Reid of Mountaineering Scotland said: “Schiehallion is one of Scotland’s most popular mountains because it is accessible by a wide range of ages and abilities and usually attracts large numbers during the summer.
“The closure of this road may mean that some people have to adjust their plans.
“However, there aren’t that many people who go to Schiehallion at this time of year.
“And the forecast doesn’t look great for the weekend, with gusts of up to 70mph, so I don’t imagine there will be many people heading there.”
The road – described as the C50 Innerhadden/ Schiehallion – has been closed at its junctions with Kinloch Rannoch and Tom Phobuill.
Access will still be permitted for emergency vehicles.
A council spokeswoman said yesterday that crews had been working on the stretch throughout the day and would return on Friday.
Schiehallion, about 10 miles from Aberfeldy, is sometimes described as the centre of Scotland.
Around 20,000 people climb to its summit each year.
Schiehallion, which roughly translates as Mound of the Caledonians, has been used for grazing sheep and stalking red deer.
Since 1999, the eastern side of the mountain has been owned by the John Muir Trust.