walkhighlands


Carrbridge and Sluggan Bridge loop

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 29/02/2024
Distance: 17.5km
Ascent: 320m
Views: 2

Deeside wanders including Coyles of Muick and Meall Alvie

Sub 2000s: Meall Alvie, The Coyles of Muick

Date walked: 26/02/2024

Time taken: 5.75 hours

Distance: 20.5km

Ascent: 820m

Sub 2k Marilyns: Coyles of Muick, Meall Alvie.
Date: 26/02/2024.
Distance: 8.5 + 5 + 7 km.
Ascent: 370 + 250 + 200m.
Time taken: 2 hours 30 minutes, 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 hour 45 minutes.
Weather: Cold turning to strong sunshine.

We had just spent a night on the White Mounth plateau, swimming in Lochnagar itself, picking up a couple of wayward Munro tops and generally messing around (hopefully Jackie will get around to writing that one up at some point). Arriving back at the Spittal of Glenmuick carpark we had a feeling the next day might still have some reasonable weather and we couldn't be bothered driving anywhere. So we put up the tent in the twilight and stayed the night there. The next morning was less glorious as suggested but still nice enough - what better way to start off than jumping in the burn?

ImageMorning grimace

After that sharp wakeup call we packed up and headed for the Coyles of Muick - the only Marilyn in the vicinity that I hadn't been up and one that Jackie had enjoyed enough that she was content to go up it again. Planning to start just across the river from the Mill of Sterin we were somewhat surprised to find that the bridge had disappeared! On Jackie's previous visit in 2018 there had been a section of road washed away but it was passable on foot. Defeated early on we returned to the car and drove around to Birkhall to start there instead.

ImageNow there's no bridge here either

A track led us straight towards Meall Dubh and the ridge that bounds the west side of Glen Muick. Higher up we picked our way through felled and fallen trees on reasonable ground and emerged on the moorland. While there had been the odd light shower on the way up, the sun began to emerge at times and the cloud began to break up.


Coyles_of_Muick.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


ImageLooking towards Ballater from near Meall Dubh

Aside from one boggy pool the path from here to the Coyles of Muick was really good and pleasant walking. I hadn't realised that the going would be so varied - it reminded me of Birnam Hill.

ImageLooking towards the Coyles

ImageCreag Dubh from the ridge

ImageA glimpse into Deeside

ImageSgor an h-Iolaire

ImageBack to Meall Dubh

A last steep pull took us up to the two large cairns on the summit where we stopped for a break. Lochnagar never did clear but Conachcraig and Loch Muick were visible and there were occasional glimpses of the Cairngorms in the distance.

ImageSummit crags

ImageCairns on the other summit

ImageLoch Muick from Coyles of Muick

ImageBackwards Jaxter

ImageSummit views

ImageConachcraig from the Coyles

We wandered over to the other summit out of curiosity - afterwards I discovered that this one is actually the highest point!. Then we descended the grassy slopes to a break in the trees that Jackie had come up previously. As it turned out her route up had been more complex than she remembered and we had to get the map out a couple of times to find which tracks to follow and which ones to cross.

ImageConachcraig and Loch Muick

ImageNice woodland on the higher slopes

ImageAcross Glen Muick

Before too long we rejoined our outward track and minutes later were at the car. The weather was now lovely and we had timed things perfectly for a lunch stop in Ballater - great cakes from The Bothy.

Next it was my turn to go up Jackie's only unclimbed Marilyn in the area - Meall Alvie. This was less interesting but shorter and the weather was lovely and almost warm up at Keiloch. We followed a good forestry track then a poorer path through the woods taking us fairly easily to within half a km of the summit. Then it was time to head into the trees and heather - Jackie's favourite!


Meall_Alvie.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


ImageLochnagar from near Keiloch

ImageCraig Leek

ImageScots Pines on Meall Alvie

After an initial thrash we were able to find some good ground beneath the older trees and the steep ascent wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had found it the first time. Another short section of heather after things levelled out led us to the summit area, which is mostly covered in trees and not the best for views. My remembered view of Lochnagar was much more overgrown than last time but I had forgotten about the view to the north which was much better. Regardless, the older parts of the forest were lovely.

ImageA glimpse of Lochnagar from Meall Alvie

ImageCarn Liath and Culardoch from Meall Alvie

We went back down by a similar route - in the end it hadn't taken too long. Probably not a summit I'd go back up a third time though!

With a couple of hours of daylight left and the weather still good we decided to have a look at some of the cairns above Balmoral. Parking at the big carpark at Crathie, we again managed to fall foul of a bridge that wasn't open and had to retrace our steps.


Balmoral_cairns.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


ImageCrathie church

Behind Easter Balmoral we climbed into the woods past Princess Beatrice's Cairn - much more in the trees than I remembered. The one we were aiming for is Prince Albert's Cairn, a stiff climb further on and the most impressive.

ImagePrincess Beatrice's Cairn

ImagePrince Alberts Cairn

We pretty much arrived at sunset - quite a spectacular place to end the day. After dropping down to the main Gelder Shiel track we diverted briefly to get out of the trees and enjoy a last view of Lochnagar. Then we dropped back down to Easter Balmoral, leaving the more western cairns for another visit.

ImageGeallaig Hill

ImageBeinn a Bhuiridh and Ben Avon

ImageCairn Toul and Beinn a Bhuiridh

ImageThe cairn

ImagePrince Alberts cairn

ImageLast look at Lochnagar from the edge of the woods

ImageSunset over Deeside

A lovely end to what ended up being almost as good a day as the two preceding it. Nicely finished off with a chippy in Grantown on Spey on the way home.

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Creag Dhubh traverse to Newtonmore

Attachment(s) Fionas: Creag Dhubh (Newtonmore)
Date walked: 18/02/2024
Distance: 8.5km
Ascent: 570m
Views: 124


Creag Loch nan Dearcag

Attachment(s) Sub 2000s: Creag Loch nan Dearcag
Date walked: 11/02/2024
Distance: 19.5km
Ascent: 630m
Views: 87


Carn Dearg then repeat - Glen Roy

Attachment(s) Corbetts: Càrn Dearg (North of Gleann Eachach), Càrn Dearg (South of Gleann Eachach)
Date walked: 10/02/2024
Distance: 15km
Ascent: 820m
Comments: 2
Views: 626


Beinn Mheadhoin from Dunmaglass

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Attachment(s) Sub 2000s: Beinn Mheadhoin (Dunmaglass)
Date walked: 09/02/2024
Distance: 10km
Ascent: 320m
Views: 25


Creag Phadraig from home

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Attachment(s) Date walked: 03/02/2024
Distance: 15km
Ascent: 200m
Views: 16


Cromdale hills again

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Attachment(s) Fionas: Càrn a'Ghille Chearr, Creagan a' Chaise
Date walked: 28/01/2024
Distance: 20km
Ascent: 740m
Views: 27


Dunain Hill and Dochgarroch from home

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Attachment(s) Date walked: 20/01/2024
Distance: 22km
Ascent: 480m
Views: 16


Meall Fuar Mhonaidh

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Attachment(s) Fionas: Meall Fuar-mhonaidh
Date walked: 07/01/2024
Distance: 10km
Ascent: 540m
Views: 30

malky_c


User avatar
Location: Glasgow/Inverness
Occupation: Civil Engineer
Interests: Walking, Scrambling, Cycling, Mountain Biking
Munro rounds: 1
Corbett rounds: 1
Fiona rounds: 1

Munros: 282
Tops: 212
Corbetts: 222
Fionas: 219
Donalds: 80+37
Wainwrights: 140
Hewitts: 281
Sub 2000: 313
Islands: 39



Filter reports


Statistics

2024

Trips: 11
Distance: 176 km
Ascent: 6080m
Corbetts: 2
Fionas: 4
Sub2000s: 4

2023

Trips: 92
Distance: 1327.5 km
Ascent: 55630m
Munros: 17
Corbetts: 12
Fionas: 14
Donalds: 3
Sub2000s: 18
Hewitts: 14
Wainwrights 19

2022

Trips: 82
Distance: 934 km
Ascent: 46615m
Munros: 20
Corbetts: 12
Fionas: 11
Donalds: 7
Sub2000s: 26
Hewitts: 1
Wainwrights 1

2021

Trips: 73
Distance: 783 km
Ascent: 40150m
Munros: 11
Corbetts: 2
Fionas: 17
Donalds: 3
Sub2000s: 34
Hewitts: 14
Wainwrights 20

2020

Trips: 73
Distance: 840.25 km
Ascent: 43115m
Munros: 9
Corbetts: 4
Fionas: 21
Donalds: 2
Sub2000s: 41
Hewitts: 15
Wainwrights 23

2019

Trips: 72
Distance: 1114 km
Ascent: 66725m
Munros: 23
Corbetts: 19
Fionas: 17
Donalds: 4
Sub2000s: 43
Hewitts: 12
Wainwrights 2

2018

Trips: 74
Distance: 1529 km
Ascent: 85110m
Munros: 20
Corbetts: 29
Fionas: 21
Donalds: 28
Sub2000s: 41
Hewitts: 51
Wainwrights 20

2017

Trips: 59
Distance: 1009.8 km
Ascent: 54765m
Munros: 27
Corbetts: 11
Fionas: 9
Sub2000s: 36
Hewitts: 23
Wainwrights 9

2016

Trips: 55
Distance: 1132.8 km
Ascent: 59985m
Munros: 18
Corbetts: 20
Fionas: 20
Donalds: 4
Sub2000s: 33

2015

Trips: 50
Distance: 1009 km
Ascent: 58815m
Munros: 10
Corbetts: 18
Fionas: 35
Donalds: 5
Sub2000s: 26

2014

Trips: 52
Distance: 1143 km
Ascent: 56245m
Munros: 11
Corbetts: 23
Fionas: 43
Donalds: 33
Sub2000s: 23

2013

Trips: 45
Distance: 1121.2 km
Ascent: 52310m
Munros: 9
Corbetts: 23
Fionas: 36
Sub2000s: 26

2012

Trips: 61
Distance: 1911.9 km
Ascent: 64050m
Corbetts: 8
Fionas: 16
Sub2000s: 19
Hewitts: 96
Wainwrights 16

2011

Trips: 49
Distance: 867.2 km
Ascent: 45165m
Munros: 5
Corbetts: 21
Fionas: 31
Sub2000s: 11
Hewitts: 18

2010

Trips: 45
Distance: 987.3 km
Ascent: 49290m
Munros: 7
Corbetts: 33
Fionas: 32
Sub2000s: 10
Hewitts: 4

2009

Trips: 43
Distance: 741 km
Ascent: 35725m
Munros: 8
Corbetts: 35
Fionas: 14
Sub2000s: 5
Hewitts: 1

2008

Trips: 47
Distance: 540.5 km
Ascent: 37865m
Munros: 15
Corbetts: 22
Fionas: 18
Donalds: 3
Sub2000s: 6

2007

Trips: 40
Distance: 471.5 km
Ascent: 30550m
Munros: 22
Corbetts: 19
Fionas: 7
Donalds: 3
Sub2000s: 4

2006

Trips: 36
Distance: 472 km
Ascent: 32785m
Munros: 39
Corbetts: 7
Fionas: 4
Hewitts: 1

2005

Trips: 29
Distance: 464 km
Ascent: 27635m
Munros: 29
Corbetts: 7
Fionas: 1
Sub2000s: 2
Hewitts: 5
Wainwrights 8

2004

Trips: 43
Distance: 839.4 km
Ascent: 47975m
Munros: 60
Corbetts: 6
Fionas: 2
Donalds: 2
Sub2000s: 1
Hewitts: 1

2003

Trips: 45
Distance: 798 km
Ascent: 51905m
Munros: 68
Corbetts: 5
Hewitts: 5

2002

Trips: 47
Distance: 634 km
Ascent: 42245m
Munros: 46
Corbetts: 3
Fionas: 3
Hewitts: 24

2001

Trips: 61
Distance: 738.5 km
Ascent: 59035m
Munros: 45
Corbetts: 1
Sub2000s: 1
Hewitts: 53
Wainwrights 23

2000

Trips: 51
Distance: 512.5 km
Ascent: 42190m
Munros: 19
Corbetts: 2
Sub2000s: 1
Hewitts: 55
Wainwrights 26

1999

Trips: 47
Distance: 504 km
Ascent: 43786m
Munros: 23
Corbetts: 1
Hewitts: 48
Wainwrights 4

1998

Trips: 37
Distance: 378 km
Ascent: 33525m
Munros: 12
Hewitts: 46

1997

Trips: 43
Distance: 512.1 km
Ascent: 44205m
Munros: 19
Corbetts: 4
Fionas: 1
Donalds: 2
Hewitts: 63
Wainwrights 6

1996

Trips: 40
Distance: 476.5 km
Ascent: 40740m
Munros: 12
Corbetts: 2
Hewitts: 75
Wainwrights 17

1995

Trips: 2


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Last visited: Mar 18, 2024
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