Geallaig Hill, an easy climb with fine views.

[The Rodmiester]

Start on the B976 road North of Balmoral at Braenaloin where there is ample parking spaces at the roadside opposite the cottage. I left the car at 0910hrs and headed for the track which takes you up the North West shoulder of Geallaig Hill. The gradient is none too steep and flattens out near the summit. On the way you pass by grouse butts only a few feet away from the track, that must keep the wealthy visitors happy, little walking and being dropped of at one's station so to speak. Within 45mins your at the summit cairn which encircles the trig point, from where there are fine views in all directions, although today there were signs of rain clouds a coming from the West, so time for a few photographs then high tail it back down before the wet stuff gives me a soaking. Dry clothes! so no need to change to enjoy the Bacon roll in Ballater en route to home.

Large parking area on the East side of road.

Looking back to the carpark at Braenaloin cottage on the B976

Grose butts just off the track

Track flattens out nearer the summit, makes for easy walking, quite soft and spongy with peaty sections

Summit trig point and cairn (shelter) with good views all around, especially up Deeside glen and hills

Looking West from summit with rain clouds coming in.

Just making it back to the car before the rain comes.

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[gmr82]

A nice bit of walking you've had Aberdeenshire way, Rodmiester. I had hoped to do this as a quickie after I went up the Graham, Mona Gowan. Unfortunately that morning I drove around 15 minutes past the MG parking area - google streetview can't mimic driving at 50/60 mph!

[The Rodmiester]

A nice bit of walking you've had Aberdeenshire way, Rodmiester. I had hoped to do this as a quickie after I went up the Graham, Mona Gowan. Unfortunately that morning I drove around 15 minutes past the MG parking area - google streetview can't mimic driving at 50/60 mph!

Hi there again gmr82, yep this is a fine wee fill in for no more than 1.5hrs, really easy climb, hardly break sweat, and boy the Bacon roll at Ballater taste good afterwards. I was thinking of doing Craigendarroch as well but as weather was turning not so nice the views would not have been very good so a fine wee excuse to head on back Ballater Way

[Benjaminnevis]

It is a cracking wee hill Geallaig i branched off left on the way down to make it in to a loop then headed down donside and wandered up Ben Newe which also has great views.

[Johnny Corbett]

Good set of walks you got done Rod. Great day for Carn Liath and Cullardoch by the looks of it, i used my bike for those two. Not done Geallaig yet but it was the same start point when i did Brown Cow Hill. Wished i'd used the bike for BCH and could have done Geallaig on the same day.

[The Rodmiester]

Good set of walks you got done Rod. Great day for Carn Liath and Cullardoch by the looks of it, i used my bike for those two. Not done Geallaig yet but it was the same start point when i did Brown Cow Hill. Wished i'd used the bike for BCH and could have done Geallaig on the same day.

Thanks JC, I'm back up them hills, this is a fine wee one, but I must check out BCH. I saw your report on the two from Keiloch, great wee bike track for sure, but was quite sandy and soft on the old feet

[The Rodmiester]

It is a cracking wee hill Geallaig i branched off left on the way down to make it in to a loop then headed down donside and wandered up Ben Newe which also has great views.

Hi there Benjaminnevis, like you I might have done the loop had the weather been a bit better, not great for views when I was there, but always an excuse for going back and doing the circuit. Where about is Ben Newe? cannot find it on the OS Map.

[Benjaminnevis]

It is a cracking wee hill Geallaig i branched off left on the way down to make it in to a loop then headed down donside and wandered up Ben Newe which also has great views.

Hi there Benjaminnevis, like you I might have done the loop had the weather been a bit better, not great for views when I was there, but always an excuse for going back and doing the circuit. Where about is Ben Newe? cannot find it on the OS Map.

Hi Rod
Ben Newe is near Bellabeg and on the Strathdon Alford map i was intending bagging Mona Gowan after Geallaig but after doing the loop i was struggling for time and opted to drive over to Strathdon pop up Ben Newe and drive back to Aberdeen via Alford. Ladylea hill is also near Bellabeg so plenty options up there.
Ben Newe also sneaks in to the Cairngorms sub2000 list which i found amazing but just shows how big the gorms park is.

[The Rodmiester]

It is a cracking wee hill Geallaig i branched off left on the way down to make it in to a loop then headed down donside and wandered up Ben Newe which also has great views.

Hi there Benjaminnevis, like you I might have done the loop had the weather been a bit better, not great for views when I was there, but always an excuse for going back and doing the circuit. Where about is Ben Newe? cannot find it on the OS Map.

Hi Rod
Ben Newe is near Bellabeg and on the Strathdon Alford map i was intending bagging Mona Gowan after Geallaig but after doing the loop i was struggling for time and opted to drive over to Strathdon pop up Ben Newe and drive back to Aberdeen via Alford. Ladylea hill is also near Bellabeg so plenty options up there.
Ben Newe also sneaks in to the Cairngorms sub2000 list which i found amazing but just shows how big the gorms park is.

Thank's 4 that,

I'm away to check them out, Aberdeenshire here I come

[Graeme D]

Just giving this one a little bump Rod. Heading up there a week on Friday after work and looking for a wee warm up before heading into the Gorms! Looks just the ticket!

[The Rodmiester]

Just giving this one a little bump Rod. Heading up there a week on Friday after work and looking for a wee warm up before heading into the Gorms! Looks just the ticket!

Spot on there Graeme! Nice wee hill and as you say a fine warm up for bigger and better, what have you in mind? I'm off Knoydart way this Friday, forecast looks not bad. all the best when you do the big ones are you camping? I bet it's love.y in Perth today, rubbish here in Carnoustie sea Harr. How do you spell Harr as in mist? Cannot find it in the dictionary ?

[Graeme D]

Just giving this one a little bump Rod. Heading up there a week on Friday after work and looking for a wee warm up before heading into the Gorms! Looks just the ticket!

Spot on there Graeme! Nice wee hill and as you say a fine warm up for bigger and better, what have you in mind? I'm off Knoydart way this Friday, forecast looks not bad. all the best when you do the big ones are you camping? I bet it's love.y in Perth today, rubbish here in Carnoustie sea Harr. How do you spell Harr as in mist? Cannot find it in the dictionary ?

Aye, lovely here today Rod! I always assumed it was "haar" but given that that's the German word for hair, that's probably just my stupid linguistic mind getting in the way of the real world!

Plan is to bothy at the Hutchy and do that pesky bugger Mheadhoin once and for all!