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Still no proper boots so another short low level stretch to keep my eye in. Did think of taking myself off to Lock Lee & Hunt Hill but didn't get my act together in time so headed for Ballater again. The Coyles of Muick have been on my radar for some time and having got a decent view of them the previous week while on
Pannanich Hill I decided now was the time to scratch this particular itch. The first problem was where to park. Seeing as Birkhall is a [sometime] royal residence thought I best not leave the car near there. The Glen Muick road is single track with passing places but the early part has some grassy run off that would be out of anyone's way, so I pulled in near the turning to the Birkhall road. In the end there was no one at home @ Birkhall & the area where the tarmac road ends (Mill of Sterin, NO349928) is large enough to park several cars. Anyway had my lunch in the car and was on my way by 1:30pm.
Weather was reasonable - high thin cloud with blue showing through with a stiff breeze high up. Going was easy through forestry tracks that for the most part were as per the map. The part of the forest I cut through at the top was a recently harvested bit with quite a few fallen trees to negotiate as well, so was heavy going. But it wasn't for too long and there was no deer fencing at the top. Made for Meall Dubh first. A few photos & then on to the main peak. Part of the reason for coming up here was to see if the large prominence at the top was natural or a big cairn. As you can see its the latter. One side has collapsed making clambering to its top a doodle.
Deeside & Ballater from Meall Dubh
Mount Keen & The Coyles of Muick from Meall Dubh
Coyles of Muick Cairn
View North from The Coyles
Large version
hereThe true peak is a couple of hundred metres to the south, with decent views south. Off the summit I continued SW for a bit to avoid the steepest bit and then made for the forest. Not so lucky with deer fences here but not a problem to scale (if you don't have a dog). Had to do this twice as the fence protected some young trees. Soon back to forestry track - fairly muddy here due to recently forestry activity.
True summit of The Coyles from the cairn. Loch Muick to the left, Lochnagar to the right. (HDR treated photo)
Coyles Cairn
Loch Muick & beyond
The Linn of Muick was my next destination. Been past them on my MTB last summer but now I was equipped with my newish DLSR. Spent a good 40 minutes taking snaps here (will post more on Flickr over the next few days) so I've taken half an hour off my trip time. Next time I'm this way I'm going to try getting down below the waterfall but it looks like it might be a bit tricky.
Linn of Muick
Muick In Motion
Flickr set over
here.
Revisited the falls a month later with my new 10-stop filter. Here are a couple of the result.
Steps
Linn Of Muick (Vertorama)