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Set off from Edinburgh at 7 on Sunday morning,we had thought about doing the walk from the south but felt that the walk in along Glen Tanar would be much nicer albeit a lot longer,anyway I always enjoy the drive up through Blairgowrie and beyond,passing through Ballater always stirs memories of Royal Guard duties back in the 70s,beating the heather for the grouse shooting and taking the ponies up to gather the Stag after the stalking,enjoying the hospitality at many of the Highland Games on Deeside and of course learning the Scottish dancing for the Ghillies Ball at the end of the holidays.Anyway we arrived at the parking area for the start of the walk at around 9.45 and headed off at 10, with hardly a cloud in the sky and the warm sun it made a nice change from our previous two outings,on through Tanar forest and we were soon at the half way hut and time for a drink and quick snack,off again and out of the forest following the rough stony track that cuts its way through the open moorland,it wasn't long before we got our first glimpse of Mount Keen in the distance,we arrived at the metal bridge at the foot of the hill at 12.15 and made our way up the track,the going wasn't to bad it wasn't until the steep section nearer the top that I started to feel the strain on the legs after the long walk in and was quite relieved to get to the summit at 13.30 for a well deserved cup of tea and the ham rolls and enjoying the fine views,although it was a clear sunny day there was a bitter cold wind blowing so it was good to get back down again to the sheltered glen,then we just followed the track back to the start.Got back to the car at 16.30,sore feet,sore legs,but as it was our 20th Munro I reckon it was worth it.
- heading out of the forest
- first sight of Mount Keen
- tried not to think we had to walk all that way back!
- looking over to lochnagar
- heading back down
- others on their way up
- Our Route
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