Walkhighlands

Boxing Day was a clear, bright and cold day in the north east of Scotland - a perfect day to walk off the Christmas dinner!



We chose Geallaig (erroneously marked as "Geallaig Hill" on the OS maps). A relatively short climb with the chance of good views and the opportunity to make a good circuit of about 16km. The ascent from Braenaloin is steady rather than steep, but we made plenty of stops to enjoy the view over to Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird to the west.




Even at the height of the day the sun was low in the south; we threw long shadows all day




Less than an hour and a half is needed to reach the summit of Geallaig. The trig point is surrounded by a circular cairn. Despite the relative lack of height at 743 metres, Geallaig has fine views, particularly over the Dee valley and to the Cairngorms.




Christmas turkey is of course best enjoyed around a table and surrounded by family, but Alan and I were in agreement that this may be the second best way to enjoy it - as leftovers in winter sunshine with a view like this!




Lochnagar had been in cloud most of the morning, but by mid afternoon the cloud thinned and broke to give good views of its graceful silhouette through the frosty haze.




The sun was dropping quickly as we made our way down to the summit of the Crathie-Gairnshiel road. It was stillvery pleasant though as we walked the track to meet the River Gairn and then back to Braenaloin.

A Christmas cracker!

Lovely report/photos, though I have to say I'm a little jealous - I may be in Aberdeen in the next couple of weeks again and had been spying this hill 3/4 days ago. Thought I might be able to get the first walk report in .

Going by the photos underfoot conditions look good?

Hi gmr82,

This was the fourth or fifth time I'd been up Geallaig

It's a super hill for a short day - best done in good visibility so you get to enjoy the views. The going is indeed good, there's a track right from the start at Braenaloin which climbs almost to the summit, then another which goes to the spur overlooking the summit of the Crathie - Gairnshiel road. From there a very well surfaced old military road leads NE and there are two options to return to Braenaloin - either direct from a ruined farmhouse over rough ground to Rinettin or (better) continue on the track to meet the track on the Gairn and follow that back. In springtime this last section is full of birdlife.

Whichever way you do it - enjoy!

Kind regards

Ian

Thanks for the info Ian, always like walks with plenty of birdlife so the extended version looks good, though also considering a quick march up Geallaig and then the quick drive over to take in Creag Ghiubhais, or just Pressendye on it's own. So many choices, this great area