We met at the Kirkton of Skene car park in Aberdeen and drove in my friend's truck with her two Hungarian Vizslas to Auchallater on a clear morning with breaks in the clouds.
There were no cars at Auchallater car park. There is a £2.50 ticket for parking.
The last visit to Glen Callater 3 years ago was to climb Cairn an't Saigart Mor when we met Prince Charles and saw two adders on the walk to the Callater bothy.
The walk to the lodge was a bit of a slog and soon we arrived at the bothy where we made coffee and had cake.
We set off along the left shore of loch Callater along Jock's road along the burn and forded a few times. The ground beneath soon became boggy and soon we were rewarded with magnificent views of Corrie Kander's crags. The Lochan can only be seen from the ridge of the Corrie on the way back.
We started ascending along the left of the burn on the now no longer definable Jock's road. It's quite a steep ascent and we soon gained height and arrived at the plateau. We then took a right turn towards the first of the day's Munro, Tolmount. We had clear views of Broad cairn and Lochnagar.
After a leisurely lunch and more coffee, walkers and dogs fed we headed for the the next peak South which indeed is like a pudding hill, Tom Buidhe. The dogs had great fun chasing hares across the bleak moor.
Leaving pudding hill behind we headed towards Cairn of Claise which was a slog across more peat bog moor. The dry stone dyke on the plateau guided us to the solid Cairn of this peak and views south across to huge crags were breathtakin.
We now had the choice of taking in our 4th Munro, Cairn an Tuirc which beckoned but it was getting bleak and we decided to head back along the ridge of Corrie Kander back to the Lodge at Callater.
We arrived back to the Lodge as the night was drawing in and some midges made an appearance. Dogs were dog tired and were lifted into the back of the truck. Overall a good day's work and we plan to do the Glenshee hills soon.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.