One higher and one lower around Glen Isla with Kids

[WalkingWithKids]

Graham Badandun Hill & Sub2000 Meall Mòr (Angus) with Kids (10, 13 y/o)

Hill no. 181, 182 - Graham no. 36 and Sub2000 no. 94

Badandun Hill
Stats:
Ascent - 455 m
Total distance - 8.8 km
Total time - 3h37m
Altitude gain - 444 m

Meall Mòr (Angus)
Stats:
Ascent - 185 m
Total distance - 2.1 km
Total time - 1h20m
Altitude gain - 180 m
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For this day we planned to climb Graham Badandun Hill, and if there was enough time left before dark, then Sub2000 Meall Mòr (Angus). The starting points of both hills are about 7 km apart.


1. Badandun Hill from Bridge of Forter in Glen Isla

A good track leads to the top of Badandun Hill. The starting point is near Bridge of Forter at the Folda end in Glen Isla. We initially followed The Cateran Trail. We left the Trail after 1.5 km, at an altitude of about 420 m, and continued along the track to the north (towards Cuingard), which leads to the top of Badandun Hill. The tracks were of varying quality, but all sections were fairly walkable. We returned the same way. It was a pretty easy walk.

Map of our route:

20231121-H0181-G036-Badandun-Hill-from-Folda---Glen-Isla---Track.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Elevation profile of our route:

We parked at the start of the track. There is space for about 3 cars.

Parking at the start of the track.

Start of the track, pedestrian gate on the left.

Important deer stalking information.

After 600 m we continued straight.

The second gate with a stile. The gate was unlocked.

We left The Cateran Trail after 1.5 km at an altitude of about 420 m.

At this place we left the Cateran Trail and continued to the left.

Looking back:
1 - Graham Mount Blair
2 - Our second target - Sub2000 Meall Mòr

Just below the top of the hill, the track passes around a dyke.

The top of Badandun Hill.

Conni on the top, looking south.

Looking west, Graham Mount Blair on the left.

We returned the same way.

Dalvanie.

Forter below Mount Blair.

We had lunch in the car and after that we moved to the second hill of the day.
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2. Meall Mòr (Angus) from the north - between Glen Shee and Glen Isla

Stats:
Ascent - 185 m
Total distance - 2.1 km
Total time - 1h20m
Altitude gain - 180 m

More than half way up Meall Mòr (700 m) was on the track. After that it was about 100 m through felling area and then the roughly 250 m of heather. The felling area was pretty well passable. The heather was not too high and there were a few grassy patches that we walked through. I liked the hill.

Map of our route:

20231121-H0182-S094-Meall-Mor-Angus-from-the-north---Track.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Elevation profile of our route:

We parked at the start of the track just off the minor road between Blacklunans and Brewlands Bridge (OS Grid Ref: NO 17126 60989).

Parking at the start of the track.

We followed the track for about 700 m to a junction at an altitude of 460 m. We passed through 3 gates, all were open.

Looking back from the track - Nether Craig, the car is on the right, down by the road. Graham Mount Blair ih the distance (with a mast on top).

Behind the second gate we encountered strange things. It was probably a feeder and water dispenser for pheasants. We saw a few pheasants on the way back.

Track behind the second gate.

Strange things. It looks like a feeder and water dispenser.

After the third gate we turned left.

The third gate.

Looking back. Drumore Loch. Beinn a' Ghlò in the distance.

We wild-camped on Beinn a' Ghlò with the kids this year. It was absolutely great!

After roughly 700 m we reached the junction at an altitude of 460 m, where we left the track and continued up through the felling area. Walking was not difficult.

The junction at an altitude of 460 m.

Walking up through the felling area. The top of the hill in sigh.

After passing through the felling area we reached another track that separates the felling area and the heather and we walked along it for a few meters, and then continued through heather directly the top of the hill. However, it was not a continuous area of heather. It was more or less patches of heather, burnt heather or grass.

Burnt heather area.

The top of Meall Mòr.

Conni on the top, looking towards Mount Blair.

Conni on the top, looking NE, towards Badandun Hill.

From the top of the hill we returned first to the track through the heather and the felling area and then along the track back to the car.

First we walked east.

Descent through the felling area.

I am not sure but I think the second hill was more interesting than the first.

[dogplodder]

Look fine walks if I'm back in that area.