Glas Tulaichean & Carn an Righ
Braemar and Ballater
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1. There is a parking area at the start of the private drive to the Dalmunzie Caslte Hotel. The first two kilometres of the walk is along the drive to the hotel itself. Alternatively the walk can be shortened by paying to park here at reception. The hotel is a magnificent baronial mansion; on reaching it continue on the track which passes it to the right and leads to Glenlochsie Farm.
Photo ©Ian Cleland, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. From the farm follow the track west up Glen Lochsie. The track crosses the river at NO079717 - if the river is low you can remain on the track which crosses back again later. Alternatively the crossings can be avoided by following a faint zig-zag to the right and then back left at a higher level. This is the line of an old railway which was built to bring down stone for extensions to Dalmunzie Castle in 1921. Full information and photos can be found in the hotel where hillwalkers are always welcome. The line remained in use for sporting guests up until the 1970s and there are still some old concrete sleepers along the way as well as bridges over two substantial streams coming down the hillside. Follow the line of the railway to just above the ruins of Glenlochsie Lodge, where the bulldozed track joins back in from the left. Follow this track as it winds up the slope onto the broad ridge of Breac-reidh.
Photo ©Snaik, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. The track continues right up onto the dome of Glas Tulaichean, detracting greatly from the feeling of being out in the hills, but the views are extensive. At its highest point leave the main track and follow the fenceposts to the right for a short distance to reach the summit, a Munro at 1054 metres; in clear conditions there are good views down into the craggier ground of the Ghlas Choire just to the east. Descend northeast at first round the rim of this corrie, then north from the shoulder.
Photo ©Victor Cammack, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. When the boggy ground beneath Mam nan Carn comes into view ahead aim northwest on the final steeper descent to pick up a stalkers path across the slopes just on the far side of the bealach. Follow this path to the 771 metre bealach beneath Carn an Righ. From here leave the path to tackle the slopes opposite; the ascent is made less steep by keeping a little to the left at first before the final more direct climb to the summit across short grass and stones. Carn an Righ may be the lower of the two peaks at 1029 metres but it is in the heart of some truly wild country, and has a fine view of Beinn a'Ghlo to the west.
Photo ©Kieran Evans, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. Retrace your steps to the bealach and along the stalkers path below Mam nan Carn. When this peters out head to the right of Loch nan Eun. From here there is a good view down the length of Gleann Taitneach, the route of descent. Keep to the left of the stream down the first steep section. A bulldozed track can then be picked up after about a kilometre and a half. This fords the Allt Elrig side stream to continue down the glen.
Photo ©Paddy Heron, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
6. The steep-sided glen gives a long but pleasant walk back towards Dalmunzie. Leave the track at NO089723 to cross a footbridge over the Allt Ghlinn Thaitneach and then follow a path down the west bank; this rejoins the outward route close to the Dalmunzie Hotel. When the track is reached turn left to return to the hotel and back along the drive to the start.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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Ballater and Braemar Hotels and Inns
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Ballater and Braemar cottages
Cairngorms Hostels
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