free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
My 2 week holiday didn't get off to the best of starts, most of the skin removed from my left heel after a day in the Gorms so a week of hanging around the house gardening and basically moaning as I couldn't get out walking.
After yet another change of boots, returning to an old pair that leak like hell but don't give me blisters I decided to do these two hills before it gets any later in the year and the days become too short for a walk of this distance.
Parking at Linn of Dee where the midges were around but not too bad I was off and heading for White Bridge by 7.45. I always enjoy the walk to White Bridge but in the past I've always headed up Glen Dee to the Lairig Ghru so this was a first for me to carry on past Ruigh nan Clach and then follow the Geldie Burn. The tracks are all good and the walking is easy, gaining height all the time but it's a gentle constant climb which many choose to cycle.
- Leaving the woods behind at the Linn of Dee
- Nearing White Bridge
- The view north from White Bridge
At this stage the weather is holding but looking over to Beinn Bhrotain the sky is looking pretty black and the promised showers seem to be on the way. Arriving at the Allt Dhaidh Mor it's possible to use stepping stones to cross and then I waited 5 minutes whilst three landrovers made the crossing as they headed for Geldie Lodge and a days shooting.
Approaching Geldie Lodge it was time to get the boots and socks off and stick on the old trainers to cross the Geldie (I wondered if I might have been offered a lift over but despite my friendly smile and wave nobody stopped
. The water was still quite warm and the crossing of the ford was easy (he says after falling head first in to the Allt Luineag the week before) so once over, I switched back to the boots only to walk 50 yards to find a burn I had to cross. Luckily about 30 yards off the track I found some stepping stones I could use.
At the Geldie Lodge I checked with a guy who had stayed with the vehicles and he confirmed that the shooting was taking place to the east of Scarsoch Bheag so I would be fine.
- Geldie Lodge
After Geldie Lodge there is a surprisingly good path heading west as far as the Allt a Chaorainn which was difficult to cross. With loads of rocks around I was able to throw a couple in to the water to allow me to cross on stepping stones.
- Great path after Geldie Lodge
It was at this point it struck me how remote this location is, a long way out no matter which direction you choose. The burn marks the end of the good track, there is an outline of a feint track heading through the boggy ground but it is pretty indistinct. I could see a large rock on the lower slopes of Carn an Fhidleir so just headed for it. On reaching the rock the heavens opened and the surrounding hills all disappeared as it got a bit miserable with the wind picking up and sleet blowing in. I made for the broad northern ridge and the climb was fairly steep but after a few minutes I was on the ridge where the gradient then eased, climbing through a couple of small boulder fields it was a nice easy walk to the summit and by the time I got there the clouds had lifted giving me good views all around.
- Summit of Carn an Fhidleir
- View over to An Sgarsoch
4hrs 45 mins to the first top, it was going to be a long day. It was now 12.30, time for the footie (Inverness v Celtic Reserves) so put the digi radio on as I headed south east off the summit on a good track. I was heading between the minor top and the bealach for An Sgarsoch but the track wasn’t dropping down and it felt like I was going too far. As I was about to leave the track and drop down I heard a couple of large bangs and walking south through the bealach there were two or three guys with guns so I waited for ten minutes before dropping down and then starting the climb up the western slopes of An Sgarsoch.
The initial climb out of the bealach is fairly steep and as with Carn an Fhidleir the wind had picked up and the sleat was on again. After a while the gradient eased and the final climb was on a much easier gradient, made better by the sun coming out again.
- An Sgarsoch summit
- An Sgarsoch summit take two
I was only at the summit for about ten minutes then headed north off the top. The grassy hillside and the boulders were wet so a bit of care was needed on the way down. I headed for a point between Allt a Chaoirainn and Scarsoch Bheag then contoured round the western side of Scarsoch Bheag before trying to find the driest route down to the path that would take me back to Geldie Lodge. On the way back I could see the original shooters on higher ground also heading back towards the lodge.
- Looking over to Carn an Fhidleir
- Heading for Geldie Lodge chasing rainbows
- Brilliant views near Geldie Lodge
After the lodge I had the boots and socks off for the Geldie crossing and just kept the trainers on till I crossed the Allt Dhaidh Mor. With the feet soothed by the water and fresh socks on, I was ready for the final long tramp out and back to the Linn of Dee. This was the best part of the day now, the sun was out and it was fairly warm in the sheltered glens.
- Geldie Lodge
- Geldie crossing
- Bridge with a view
- Following the Geldie and looking back
- Looking back again
- Chasing another rainbow
I made good time down to White Bridge where there were 5 tents pitched up for the night. One group looked dressed for an Arctic expedition, they must have given me funny looks as I wandered past with short sleeves on.
After helping a foreign chap decide whether to pitch his tent at White Bridge or carry on to Corrour bothy I headed on along the track passing several groups who seemed to be heading for White Bridge to camp for the night – busy place.
With ten minutes to go a couple of guys on bikes passed me, I had seen their bikes at Geldie lodge and wondered how much time they would have saved.
Back at the car the midges were surprisingly quiet so I was able to take my time getting the boots off. A long long day, 27.4 miles and ten and a half hours (9hrs 20mins walking and stopped for 1hr 10mins) – definitely a walk for a long summers day.
Have to say, loved this walk.