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It was a late decision to head for the hills today and as a consequence, I didn't leave the house till just before 2pm. It's a holiday week this week and the late decision was based on checking the BBC website and seeing black clouds for most of the country later in the week so best to make the most of what was left of the day.
All was going well till I turned off the A93 just after Ballater and noticed the "Road Closed at Corgarff" sign with a recommendation I head for Huntly, Tomintoul etc. This won't work, it's too late in the day and if the road is closed at Corgarff can I get to the castle car park bearing in mind I need to reach Cock Bridge?? I've driven this far, I might as well keep going.
At the hump back bridge near Gairnshiel Lodge a bus driver stopped and allowed all the passengers out to take photos of the bridge while traffic built up in both directions. Nobody (on the bus) seemed bothered with people wandering all over the place with cameras etc before eventually they were all rounded up and the bus moved on at 20mph for about a mile before I got fed up and moved past a couple of cars and the bus.
On reaching the A939/A944 I could see there was access to Corgarff and to Corgarff Hall (which I hadn't heard off and couldn't find on the map) but no mention of the castle so I decided to head off up the road and see what happened. Stopping at a craft shop a chap told me that the road was due to open at 4pm any way so I should just head up the road and see how far I could get so taking his advice I drove to the car park without seeing any workmen.
The castle has been closed for a fortnight due to the road closure so parking wasn't an issue.
- Easiest parking in ages
- Grassy track up to the castle
I was using the WH notes so headed up the grassy track before using the gate on my right and walking along the side of a field to pass close to the castle where I could then see a gate I needed to head for.
- Corgarff Castle
Once through the gate I followed a narrow path that descended to pick up a track from the farm than runs up into the glen.
- Looking back to the castle
- The track leading me through the glen
The gradient was easy as I walked past a plantation, having cleared the wood it steepened but was still easy going.
- View back to the castle
- View down the glen
I was looking for a point where the track turned right to head up Carn Oighreag and on seeing a grassy track heading left I decided I had reached that point (and, as is often the case, I was wrong).
- View from the point where I left the main track
I was following what looked more like a sheep trail than a path as it went through heather then disappeared in the wet grass before appearing again in the heather. This carried on till I reached some peat hags to the north of the 748m top shown on the 1:50 000 map. At this point I could see a new fence which headed towards the foot of the 748m point so I decided to follow this line.
- 748m point ahead
- New fence to follow through the peat hags
The route following the fence was straight forward with just a couple of minor detours and jumps before crossing the fence and climbing up the hill in front of me.
- Looking down on the hags - looks worse than it was
From the 748m point there is a small drop down to a gate and then an easy climb to the top of Brown Cow Hill.
- The final climb to the top of Brown Cow Hill
While the final climb is easy it takes longer than I expected as there is more ground to cover than I thought when looking from a distance. I arrived at the top in 5 minutes shy of 2hrs.
Brown Cow Hill is not a dramatic hill but on a night with good visibility the views over to Lochnagar, Ben Avon and Morven make it well worth the effort.
- Lochnagar
- Ben Avon
I spent a few minutes at the 823m top before heading to the 829m top. My route back to the main track would be different as I decided to keep to the high ground and aim to come out higher up on Carn Oighreag.
Initially there is a clear path off the top but it is quickly lost in the first peat hags but the route is obvious so I just try to keep to the higher ground where I can look down on my route in.
A couple of times in the heather I nearly stood on young grouse that had to scamper off. Both of them were close to being able to fly and the threat of my size 12 was nearly enough for them to take flight but in the end they just took off as quickly as they could. After various experiences over the last couple of years I was looking round to see if there were any angry parents heading my way but thankfully the young birds seemed to be on their own so I quickly headed off.
I picked up the main track exactly where I think I should have left it and it looked like I was about 200 yards early in starting my heather bashing.
The walk back down the glen was good, warm sun on my back and a nice breeze pushing me on.
- I can't walk past a lone Scots pine
- Same tree
- Corgarff Castle
- And again
- And again
At 3hrs I was back at the car quicker than expected and considered taking on Carn Ealasaid but decided against it as I didn't want to rush it. Hopefully I can get back soon for the other Corbett but I'll need to check online for more info about the A939 closure.
As I mentioned earlier, the hill itself is nothing special but the views are good and it was an enjoyable night. The drive home was uneventful and I was home in time to catch the last 20 minutes of Poundland v Iceland...........