Hills & Mountains
Drumochter to Braemar
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
This section includes Ben Vrackie, Beinn a` Ghlo, Drumochter and Glen Shee, plus the hills between Braemar and the Linn o` Dee.
Ben Vrackie
BEN VRACKIE (841 m)
Dates not recorded
Dates not recorded
Beinn a` Ghlo
When viewed from the main A9 Perth to Inverness road, despite the mountain`s obviously commanding position, Beinn a` Ghlo deceptively appears to comprise of several rounded, relatively uninteresting bumps. It`s only when walkers venture onto the mountain`s tops, however, that the true character of the massif is revealed.
Beinn a` Ghlo is made up of no less than three Munros and one subsidiary top and its stony summits, hidden steep-sided corries and complex connecting ridges make for a memorable expedition as well as a potential navigational challenge in poor visibility. The going underfoot is good for the most part and all the tops can be `bagged` comfortably in a single outing.
Although the mountain can be climbed from Glen Tilt on its west side, the optimum approach is from Glen Fender, reached along a minor road from Blair Atholl. This road continues past Loch Moraig to Monzie Farm (below), although private vehicles must be left at the designated parking area beside the loch. A gate gives access to a track, known as the `Shinagag Road` a reference to a once thriving but now abandoned sheep farm in the remote hill country, almost mid-way between Beinn a` Ghlo and Pitlochry`s Ben Vrackie.
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Leave the track at a pair of derelict wooden sheds and cross the wet ground to reach the unmistakable path which climbs steeply to the summit of dome-shaped Carn Liath (right), the first Munro.
There may not be much left of the sheds now but the way will be obvious. The scar on the badly eroded hillside can be seen from miles around. |
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This is the view looking back down the path on Carn Liath towards the start of the walk at distant Loch Moraig.
In clear weather the continuation from Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain to Carn nan Gabhar, the main top, is straightforward but, as there are no features which easily identify the optimum descent route to the connecting bealach, Bealach an Fhiodha, careful navigation is required when the mist is down and snow obscures the path. This bealach can also be used for the descent.
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Continue over to the western slopes of Carn nan Gabhar and take the well-worn path that slants upwards towards the wide summit ridge. The view on the right looks back from the path towards Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain.
The going is easy over the stony, gently rising ground and the trig point is passed before finally reaching the actual summit, at 1129 metres, the highest point of the massif. A fine panorama of mostly rounded hills stretches across the horizon with the Lairig Ghru, being the most easily identifiable feature of the distant Cairngorms to the north. Rather than return by the same route, a less-taxing alternative is to take in the subsidiary top of Airgoid Bheinn, and follow its narrowing southwest ridge which descends steeply to form the eastern side of Corrie an Fhiodha, diagonally opposite Beinn Bheag. |
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Looking north towards the Cairngorm plateau.
The southwest ridge of Airgoid Bheinn is the narrowest part of the traverse.
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Initially, this is the narrowest ridge of whole traverse and although it is not exposed it makes a pleasant change to be able to see down each side as you walk. The surface is littered with loose boulders and stones and care is required, especially on the very steep descent into the corrie. This is far steeper than the previously mentioned descent into Corrie an Fhiodha from Bealach an Fhiodha.
At the foot of the corrie, cross the burn to gain a stalkers path, not marked on the OS map which contours round Beinn Bheag then Carn Liath, to join the Shinagag track which is followed back to Loch Moraig. |
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BEINN A` GHLO:
CARN LIATH
BRAIGH COIRE CHRUINN- BHALGAIN
CARN NAN GABHAR
Airgiod Bheinn
21 July 1990
My wife and I were staying for the weekend at the Blair Castle Caravan Club site in my parents`caravan. It`s a terrific location within the castle grounds although it was very busy, especially as it was hosting an International Boy Scout Jamboree! Tackling Beinn a` Ghlo the day after our arrival, we started early and had the hill to ourselves for almost two hours. Well up on Carn Liath, the first of Beinn a` Ghlo`s Munros, we stopped to watch a pair of Hen Harriers, tumbling and diving above us, apparently making a food pass.
It was a fine day despite some cloud and a slight haze. After Carn Liath, my wife accompanied me onto Beinn a` Ghlo`s second Munro, Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain, and waited at the cairn, admiring the view while I ran over to the third Munro, Carn nan Gabhar, and its subsidiary top. Re-united about an hour later, we made our way down but, rather than retracing our route, we dropped directly west to gain the track at the foot of Glen Tilt, startling a couple of young deer on the way. That evening we went to see a play in the Festival Theatre in Pitlochry but after the hillwalk we were too tired to concentrate and kept nodding off. It was pretty boring anyway so we baled out at the interval.
CARN LIATH
BRAIGH COIRE CHRUINN- BHALGAIN
CARN NAN GABHAR
Airgiod Bheinn
21 July 1990
My wife and I were staying for the weekend at the Blair Castle Caravan Club site in my parents`caravan. It`s a terrific location within the castle grounds although it was very busy, especially as it was hosting an International Boy Scout Jamboree! Tackling Beinn a` Ghlo the day after our arrival, we started early and had the hill to ourselves for almost two hours. Well up on Carn Liath, the first of Beinn a` Ghlo`s Munros, we stopped to watch a pair of Hen Harriers, tumbling and diving above us, apparently making a food pass.
It was a fine day despite some cloud and a slight haze. After Carn Liath, my wife accompanied me onto Beinn a` Ghlo`s second Munro, Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain, and waited at the cairn, admiring the view while I ran over to the third Munro, Carn nan Gabhar, and its subsidiary top. Re-united about an hour later, we made our way down but, rather than retracing our route, we dropped directly west to gain the track at the foot of Glen Tilt, startling a couple of young deer on the way. That evening we went to see a play in the Festival Theatre in Pitlochry but after the hillwalk we were too tired to concentrate and kept nodding off. It was pretty boring anyway so we baled out at the interval.
BEINN A` GHLO:
CARN LIATH
BRAIGH COIRE CHRUINN- BHALGAIN
CARN NAN GABHAR
Airgiod Bheinn
Wednesday 21 April 2010
CARN LIATH
BRAIGH COIRE CHRUINN- BHALGAIN
CARN NAN GABHAR
Airgiod Bheinn
Wednesday 21 April 2010
I returned here unaccompanied and made another ascent of Beinn a` Ghlo`s tops, mainly to get some decent photos with digital equipment as only a couple of mediocre prints survived from my first outing with my wife almost 10 years previously. Unlike the previous occasion there was a reasonable amount of the white stuff around which made it more like a winter outing rather than late spring. I had the hill to myself, never meeting a soul all day, although masses of footprints in the snow showed that this Munro had been as popular as ever over the preceding weeks.
I arrived at the summit of Carn Liath just after passing clouds left it with a dusting of snow.
Carn Liath in the sunshine. The `Z` shaped connecting ridge is clearly seen from this angle.
The above slideshow etc* below:-
Carn a` Chlamain
Carn a` Chlamain is on the left in the above view.
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CARN A` CHLAMAIN (963m)
Wednesday 17 March 1999 I got to the car park at Old Bridge of Tilt just before 6 a.m. and quickly changed into my climbing breeches, the back-side of which had recently been repaired after a split. On stepping out of the car I immediately heard a loud tear and felt a rush of wind! The replacement stitching had burst, only this time the gap was longer than a couple of inches. The two back-side sections had totally - and widely -separated with only the waist band at the top holding them to the rest of the breeches! With my underpants in full view I set off, hoping that the hills wouldn`t be too busy! Despite a good forecast, the tops were obscured by cloud but the spectacular gorge and birds, including Dippers, Chaffinch, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Coal, Blue and Great Tit, Buzzard and Red Grouse held my interest. |
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The only deer spotted were during the morning, high on a distant ridge but I got a good view of a Red Squirrel, foraging beside the river. The road to Forest Lodge is motor-able, albeit a bit rough in places, but I the walk-in is enjoyable and in my case, was the best part of the day. Much of the scenery would be missed in a car therefore a mountain bike would be a better alternative. A path near Marble Lodge leads onto a long broad ridge which is the quickest way to the summit, but I wanted a look at Forest Lodge, so happily accepted the extra mileage. A path from there took me up into thick cloud and I initially overshot the summit bump in the poor visibility. Patches of wet snow covered much of the ground although there was no snow on the summit itself. I got no view from the top which was disappointing, however, less than ten minutes after starting down the easy ridge to Marble Lodge, clouds began to blow clear with visibility extending as far as Ben Lawers. Sunshine soon followed and the melt water added to the already fast flowing river.
Photo caption;* // Marble Lodge; a keeper`s cottage in Queen Victoria`s time. Many years ago there was a good deal of marble in Glen Tilt, which is how the lodge got its name.
Photo caption;* // Marble Lodge; a keeper`s cottage in Queen Victoria`s time. Many years ago there was a good deal of marble in Glen Tilt, which is how the lodge got its name.
BEINN DEARG (1008m)
Wednesday 10 January 2001
An early, icy start under a full moon. This hill would make a fairly easy day if it weren`t for the long walk-in. From the car park at Old Blair a bulldozed track leads approximately 10 kilometres to a bothy from which the next few kilometres climb up easy angled slopes to the hill`s stony summit. I slipped on sheet ice after jumping off the stile at the forest edge and nearly did the same again on the way back. I never saw a soul all day. There was a very clear, far ranging 360 degree panorama from the top although the views northwards and over to the Cairngorms were obscured by cloud. On the return I saw that the track was dotted with fresh blood spots every few yards. The stains lasted for a few miles and were probably from a culled deer being carried on an all-terrain buggy. When there`s no snow or ice to contend with, using a mountain bike as far as the bothy, would be an ideal way to do this hill.
Wednesday 10 January 2001
An early, icy start under a full moon. This hill would make a fairly easy day if it weren`t for the long walk-in. From the car park at Old Blair a bulldozed track leads approximately 10 kilometres to a bothy from which the next few kilometres climb up easy angled slopes to the hill`s stony summit. I slipped on sheet ice after jumping off the stile at the forest edge and nearly did the same again on the way back. I never saw a soul all day. There was a very clear, far ranging 360 degree panorama from the top although the views northwards and over to the Cairngorms were obscured by cloud. On the return I saw that the track was dotted with fresh blood spots every few yards. The stains lasted for a few miles and were probably from a culled deer being carried on an all-terrain buggy. When there`s no snow or ice to contend with, using a mountain bike as far as the bothy, would be an ideal way to do this hill.
The Drumochter Hills
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The Drumochter Hills comprise six main summits. The west side of the pass, holds four Munros, three of which lie in a horseshoe around Coire Dhomhain, with Geal-charn as an outlier to the north. The highest top, Beinn Udlamain (1010m), lies furthest west. Although it is possible to traverse this group in one expedition, they`re more often tackled as pairs.
A` Bhuidheanach Beag and Carn na Caim are over on the east side of the pass with the busy A9 and main Perth-Inverness railway line in between, while Meall Chuaich is a rather isolated hill, lying several kilometres to the north at the top edge of the vast plateau. The Pass of Drumochter was formed by glacial action during successive Ice Ages and is the main route between the northern and southern central Scottish Highlands, having been so since prehistoric times. The dual carriageway, for the most part, follows the line of the military road built by General wade between 1728 and 1730. Nowadays, the Sustrans National Cycle Route 7 between Glasgow and Inverness runs parallel with road and rail. The elevation of the railway line reaches 452 m (1480 ft) here, making it the highest mainline in the UK. As the Drumochter hills were climbed many years ago, well before the era of digital photography, very few shots survive as a record of my ascents. |
GEAL CHARN (917m)
A` MHARCONAICH (975m)
2 September 1986
I stopped off here late afternoon to bag these hills on my way to the Torridon Youth Hostel. Four Munros, including these two, form the west side of the Drumochter Pass and Geal Charn and A` Mharconaich are the northernmost pair. For many years a line of tall slender cairns stood high up on Geal Charn`s shoulder which looked like giant climbers when seen from the main road, however, these were demolished some time ago. These two mountains were the first of several summits climbed during a week-long hill-walking holiday. The weather at Drumochter was overcast but the clouds stayed mainly above the tops. The view across the busy A9 was uninspiring as the hills on the opposite side of the pass are even more featureless than those on the west, but there was a decent panorama westward to Loch Ericht and beyond.
A` MHARCONAICH (975m)
2 September 1986
I stopped off here late afternoon to bag these hills on my way to the Torridon Youth Hostel. Four Munros, including these two, form the west side of the Drumochter Pass and Geal Charn and A` Mharconaich are the northernmost pair. For many years a line of tall slender cairns stood high up on Geal Charn`s shoulder which looked like giant climbers when seen from the main road, however, these were demolished some time ago. These two mountains were the first of several summits climbed during a week-long hill-walking holiday. The weather at Drumochter was overcast but the clouds stayed mainly above the tops. The view across the busy A9 was uninspiring as the hills on the opposite side of the pass are even more featureless than those on the west, but there was a decent panorama westward to Loch Ericht and beyond.
With the main road at this point lying at an elevation of 425 meters above sea level, the traverse of Geal Charn and A` Mharconaich makes for a fairly easy day. The standard approach is from Balsporran Cottage which lies just off the busy A9. There`s space to park beside the River Truim which flows down from the target hills, and once across the wooden bridge, steady progress can be made up the broad and grassy northeast ridge of Geal Charn. Fit walkers can reach the top in around 90 minutes. The rim of Coire Fhar is followed to the summit of the second Munro, reached in about an hour when there`s no snow underfoot. The long NE ridge can then be followed for a gradual descent back to the starting point to make a decent circuit.
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Two striking hills lie close to the A9 on the west side of the Pass, the most northerly of which is the Boar of Badenoch. The other is the Sow of Atholl. Both, although well below Munro height, are steep-sided on the east and are very avalanche prone when loaded with snow. This view of the`Boar` was taken from the parking area near Balsporran Cottage.
The main Perth - Inverness railway line runs through the Pass, parallel with the road, and I believe the cottage was originally a farmstead which was taken over as a railwayman`s dwelling. It`s now operated as a Bed & Breakfast establishment and judging by the feedback on its website, it appears to offer a high standard of accommodation and is popular with walkers and cyclists. |
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More information on the property can be found at: www.balsporranbedandbreakfast.co.uk. Among the gallery photos are some nice views including the drone shot above and the following winter scenes. All of course are © Balsporran B&B.
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Above: Looking towards A` Mharconaich from the Balsporran Cottage parking area. The River Truim is picture below.
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SGAIRNEACH MHOR (991m)
10 November 1989
Another case of a wrong forecast. Drove up in a friend`s car and we sat in a lay-by off the A9 at Dalnaspidal for an hour waiting for a break in the weather without success. We found ourselves engulfed in cloud almost immediately with next to no visibility. The snow line was soon reached and it was very wet and miserable but we pressed on to the top and once there decided there was no point continuing. The slushy snow underfoot made for a slippery descent and the grand finale was my pal falling backwards into the burn at the bottom. I was surprised to hear him say he`d be interested coming with me on my next outing!
10 November 1989
Another case of a wrong forecast. Drove up in a friend`s car and we sat in a lay-by off the A9 at Dalnaspidal for an hour waiting for a break in the weather without success. We found ourselves engulfed in cloud almost immediately with next to no visibility. The snow line was soon reached and it was very wet and miserable but we pressed on to the top and once there decided there was no point continuing. The slushy snow underfoot made for a slippery descent and the grand finale was my pal falling backwards into the burn at the bottom. I was surprised to hear him say he`d be interested coming with me on my next outing!
The A9 looking north from Dalnaspidal. December 2019. The Sow of Atholl and Boar of Badenoch are both visible.
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Dalnaspidal is now part of Perth and Kinross district and lies beside the main east coast railway line. Although, just a tiny community, a railway station was in operation here from 1864 to 1965.
The hamlet lies at the southern end of Drumocher Pass and is best known for the Battle of Dalnaspidal (19 July 1654) which occurred during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The clash between Scottish Royalists loyal to Charles II of England, including men of Clan MacGregor and Clan Robertson, and Parliamentarians loyal to Oliver Cromwell including members of Clan Campbell, was one of the last engagements of the Scottish Civil War and brought an end to the Royalist rising of 1651 to 1654. Right: looking towards Sgairneach Mhor from Dalnaspidal, in late December 2019. |
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BEINN UDLAMAIN (1010m)
Tuesday 17 November 1998
Another section of Munros Tables complete! Snatched the last of my Drumochter Munros on the way north on a short break to Strathpeffer, setting off rather later than usual at noon. A good track leads right to the foot of the mountain and it only took two hours to get to the top. It was a gloomy approach and not much in the way of wildlife - only a small herd of deer, a few pairs of Red Grouse and a lone Ptarmigan.
On the upper slopes I was enveloped in cloud with almost zero visibility, however, I emerged just below the summit to discover that the top was clear with open views to the west, especially towards Ben Alder. I was also surprised to see two walkers already at the cairn. They`d set off earlier in the morning from the north end of the pass and had already taken in Geal Charn and A`Mharconaich. They headed down almost as soon as I arrived and then I had the views to myself. All in all an excellent walk considering some class this hill as one of the duller Munros.
Tuesday 17 November 1998
Another section of Munros Tables complete! Snatched the last of my Drumochter Munros on the way north on a short break to Strathpeffer, setting off rather later than usual at noon. A good track leads right to the foot of the mountain and it only took two hours to get to the top. It was a gloomy approach and not much in the way of wildlife - only a small herd of deer, a few pairs of Red Grouse and a lone Ptarmigan.
On the upper slopes I was enveloped in cloud with almost zero visibility, however, I emerged just below the summit to discover that the top was clear with open views to the west, especially towards Ben Alder. I was also surprised to see two walkers already at the cairn. They`d set off earlier in the morning from the north end of the pass and had already taken in Geal Charn and A`Mharconaich. They headed down almost as soon as I arrived and then I had the views to myself. All in all an excellent walk considering some class this hill as one of the duller Munros.
A`BHUIDHEANACH BHEAG (936m)
Meall a` Chaoruinn
Glas Mheall Mor
CARN NA CAIM (941m)
16 June 1995
Meall a` Chaoruinn
Glas Mheall Mor
CARN NA CAIM (941m)
16 June 1995
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These two Munros lie on the east side of the Drumochter pass. Mostly clear skies on the drive up but low cloud still lingered on the hills on either side. I parked opposite the small forestry plantation just north of Drumochter Lodge and followed the easy angled terrain onto the featureless plateau of A` Bhuidheanach Bheag. As I wandered towards the summit the clouds finally lifted. After A` Bhuidheanach Bheag I took in its two subsidiary tops, Meall a` Chaoruinn and Glas Meall Mor. There was a very large herd of deer on the latter but they moved off before I got too close.
The whole area is very featureless with lots of peat hags and boggy ground. On the way to Carn na Caim, I came across several waders which after consulting the reference books, I identified as Greenshanks. They were obviously sitting on eggs and after studying them through the binoculars for a while I continued onto the second Munro. I picked up a quarry road on the way back and followed it down to the car. |
MEALL CHUAICH (951m)
Friday 3 March 1995
Friday 3 March 1995
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Bothy Weekend with a group of friends and workmates. The photos are copies of prints so the quality isn`t great.
A rare event! Brilliant sunshine and the mountains loaded with snow! Stopped at Pitlochry and sat outside the van eating rolls on sausage from the Baker`s shop. It was like a summer`s day. The Drumochter hills looked especially impressive and two of the group set off on a Ski-mountaineering round of Geal Charn and A`Mharconaich. We dropped them at Balsporran Cottages, previously occupied by railwaymen, but now used by a mountaineering club, and continued up the A9 for a few miles so the remainder could take in Meall Chuaich. |
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A good track goes eastwards beside the Allt Cuaich burn which contains an aqueduct used to transfer water from Loch Cuaich to Loch Ericht. Although the upper slopes of the surrounding hills were plastered with new snow it was patchy lower down and this made the numerous mountain hares, still in their winter coats, easy to spot.
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We explored a small privately owned bothy at the south end of Loch Cuaich before plodding through deep snow on the path which took us to the east side of our hill. From there we cut back and headed for the top. The sunshine and snow combined to produce an intense glare - shades essential! The views in all directions, were tremendous, especially towards Ben Alder and Creag Meagaidh.
One of the guys had new dog, Bonnie, who was in her element and after a reasonable stop at the large summit cairn we took a more direct line back. Mountain hares darted in all directions, fortunately well out of `doggy` range. We picked up the skiers and made the compulsory `Chip Shop Stop` at Inverness before continuing northwards to Loch a` Bhraoin bothy. |
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Glas Tulaichean
GLAS TULAICHEAN (1051m)
Friday 19th April 1996
This Munro and Carn an Righ, are remote hills lying south-west of the Glen Shee Ski area and they`re normally climbed together from the Dalmunzie Hotel near Spittal of Glenshee. This route follows a burn for about 2 kilometres toward the ruin of Glenlochsie Farm. The water was flowing fast due to recent rainfall and the carcass of a red deer hind, was jammed between boulders in the middle of the stream having apparently drowned.
Friday 19th April 1996
This Munro and Carn an Righ, are remote hills lying south-west of the Glen Shee Ski area and they`re normally climbed together from the Dalmunzie Hotel near Spittal of Glenshee. This route follows a burn for about 2 kilometres toward the ruin of Glenlochsie Farm. The water was flowing fast due to recent rainfall and the carcass of a red deer hind, was jammed between boulders in the middle of the stream having apparently drowned.
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To begin with it was sunny as forecast but after I`d been walking for an hour it began to rain. As I gained height on the bulldozed track which leads right up to the summit of `Tulaichean, the wind rose to gale force. There was still a lot of wet snow underfoot and I was battered by a violent hail storm which seemed to last for ever! A large flock of geese flew low overhead then, after intermittent views of Beinn A` Ghlo which my wife and I had climbed a few years before, the clouds closed in and the view deteriorated to zero.
By the time I reached the Trig` point I was wet and miserable and didn`t see any point continuing on to Carn an Righ. I took the eastern-most ridge for a more direct return to Dalmunzie and on the descent I disturbed a herd of a hundred-plus deer sheltering from the storm. Back at the car by 1p.m. - very wet!
By the time I reached the Trig` point I was wet and miserable and didn`t see any point continuing on to Carn an Righ. I took the eastern-most ridge for a more direct return to Dalmunzie and on the descent I disturbed a herd of a hundred-plus deer sheltering from the storm. Back at the car by 1p.m. - very wet!
Carn An Righ
CARN AN RIGH (1029m)
Friday 7 April 2000
The ascent of this hill calls for a long walk-in although the climb up to the summit itself is fairly short and easy. My wife dropped me off at the Dalmunzie Hotel around 9 a.m. and I walked in via Gleann Taitneach. Rather than go all the way to Loch nan Eun I cut over the north eastern shoulder of Glas Tulaichean to gain a stalkers` path which runs westward below Beinn Iutharn Mhor.
On the upper slopes of Carn an Righ, I spotted a small falcon, flying low which quickly disappeared over the wide ridge. Other birds seen were Buzzard, Dipper, Curlew and Red Grouse. Lots of Mountain Hares too. The weather was fine to start with but it clouded over later and became very windy. Visibility remained good though and there were excellent views from the top, especially towards the Cairngorms. I returned by same route and met two guys who were heading up to camp at Loch nan Eun then do the four surrounding Munros the following day.
Friday 7 April 2000
The ascent of this hill calls for a long walk-in although the climb up to the summit itself is fairly short and easy. My wife dropped me off at the Dalmunzie Hotel around 9 a.m. and I walked in via Gleann Taitneach. Rather than go all the way to Loch nan Eun I cut over the north eastern shoulder of Glas Tulaichean to gain a stalkers` path which runs westward below Beinn Iutharn Mhor.
On the upper slopes of Carn an Righ, I spotted a small falcon, flying low which quickly disappeared over the wide ridge. Other birds seen were Buzzard, Dipper, Curlew and Red Grouse. Lots of Mountain Hares too. The weather was fine to start with but it clouded over later and became very windy. Visibility remained good though and there were excellent views from the top, especially towards the Cairngorms. I returned by same route and met two guys who were heading up to camp at Loch nan Eun then do the four surrounding Munros the following day.
Glen Shee (West)
The Glen Shee hills from Beinn Bhreac in the southern Cairngorms to the north.
CARN AOSDA (917m)
THE CAIRNWELL (933m)
CARN A` GHEOIDH (975m)
Carn Bhinnein
27 October 1988
THE CAIRNWELL (933m)
CARN A` GHEOIDH (975m)
Carn Bhinnein
27 October 1988
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Carn Aosda (above), supposedly the easiest Munro of them all, is not very pretty. Like its neighbour, The Cairnwell (right), this hill is badly scarred with bulldozed tracks and ski tows which detract from the walk.
It`s only when you wander out to the west, towards the third Munro of the group Carn Gheoidh, that you loose sight of all the debris and it becomes more like a normal day on the hills. I took in the three Munros and continued west onto Carn Gheoidh`s subsidiary top before retracing my steps back to Glen Shee. The few slides taken during the walk were binned long ago therefore I have included a couple of recently taken record shots instead. |
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AN SOCACH (944m)
BEINN IUTHARN MHOR (1045m)
Tuesday 3 July 1990
BEINN IUTHARN MHOR (1045m)
Tuesday 3 July 1990
I made a solo ascent of these hills following an abortive attempt with a friend from work to climb An Socach on its own the previous winter when a late start, high winds and deep snow prevented us from reaching the top. On this occasion I took advantage of the fine summer weather and included Beinn Iutharn Mhor and its two subsidiary tops. No shots from the day survive and these roadside shots were taken at a later date.
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Glen Shee (East)
The Glen Shee hills from the north, on the A93 south of Braemar.
CARN AN TUIRC (1019m)
CAIRN OF CLAISE (1064m)
Druim Mor
GLAS MAOL (1068m)
Little Glas Maol
Meall Odhar
CREAG LEACACH (987m)
Creag Leacach - South West Top
CAIRN OF CLAISE (1064m)
Druim Mor
GLAS MAOL (1068m)
Little Glas Maol
Meall Odhar
CREAG LEACACH (987m)
Creag Leacach - South West Top
Creag Leacach from the Glen Shee Ski Centre car park.
1 August 1989
Dull morning. A pal and I started from the A93, just north of the Glen Shee Ski complex, where the road crosses the Cairnwell Burn. It`s a fairly easy rise to the first Munro, Glas Maol which we reached in 1hr 45 mins. The clouds cleared as we headed along the broad connecting ridge to Cairn of Claise and the subsidiary top of Druim Mor gave a good view down Glen Isla. A couple of `out and backs` followed to take in Glas Maol`s subsidiary tops before heading onto Creag Leacach, the last Munro. As I approached the cairn the only thing in view was a large German Shepherd dog that I thought looked vaguely familiar! A few steps nearer and someone from work stuck his head round the cairn - it was his day off too and by total coincidence he`d decided on the same hills for a bit of exercise! |
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Above left: The hills at the west end of Jock`s Road in Glen Shee. Above right shows the A93 looking south from the Ski Centre towards the notorious bend in the road known as the Devil`s Elbow (hidden from view).
Ben Gulabin
BEN GULABIN (806m)
Date not recorded
Date not recorded
Ben Gulabin from Spittal of Glen Shee Parish Church.
I climbed this hill many years ago from the Spittal of Glenshee end and continued onto the long southeast ridge of Carn a`Gheoidh for my second ascent of this Munro, taking in its two minor tops on the way to the summit. No photos from the day.
Morrone
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MORRONE (859m)
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Carn Bhac
No airy ridges or dramatic cliffs here. This rounded lump is the highest point in the vast area of relatively featureless hills which lie just south of the Cairngorms and the Tilt-Dee watershed and would likely be ignored by most walkers was it not for the fact that it is a Munro.
CARN BHAC (946m)
Tuesday 17 May 2005
Solo ascent. A grey day with some wind-blown snow. I walked in from Inverey on the Braemar to Linn of Dee road then took the forest track to the northern end of Carn Bhac`s outlier, Geal Charn, from where a long undulating ridge links with Carn Bhac`s southwest top and main summit.
Tuesday 17 May 2005
Solo ascent. A grey day with some wind-blown snow. I walked in from Inverey on the Braemar to Linn of Dee road then took the forest track to the northern end of Carn Bhac`s outlier, Geal Charn, from where a long undulating ridge links with Carn Bhac`s southwest top and main summit.
This Emperor Moth was lying on the windswept upper slopes of The Top of The Battery, a northern extension of Carn Bhac, which forms the west side of Coire Bhearnaist. A closer inspection revealed that the moth was actually dead, probably having perished as a result of the plummeting temperature.
Above: Looking back along the approach route from the northern end of the Top of The Battery. An unidentified bird of prey obviously uses the area in the bottom right of the photograph as its dining table.
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Left-overs included the remains of at least two birds (well-plucked to say the least) and pieces of mountain hare.
I saw several `un-munched` mountain hares during the walk. Most, like this one, had almost completed the change from white winter coats to brown fur.
Around twenty Dotterel kept foraging on the slopes between Carn Bhac`s two main tops despite the high winds and blowing snow.
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