Second Munro in 2 weeks and second Munro overall in the bag!

After completing Mount Keen last weekend, we thought it would be good to take on Lochnagar as the next one on our list.

With a beautiful day forecast we packed up the rucksacks and headed off to the Spittal of Glen Muick accompanied by our usual canine walk partner, Sheldon and current lodger whilst her owners are on holiday, Mika.



We really could not have asked for a better day as we strolled through the enjoyable forest before beginning the long ascent to the top of Lochnagar. I found this ascent much more enjoyable and dare I say it, easier than Mount Keen last weekend however there are a lot of boulders and stairs to navigate your way up, particularly the ladder where I had to stop a couple of times and let my heart rate come back down to that of a living person, but the first views of the Loch below made for a nice setting.







When we reached the summit point, you could literally see for miles and miles, it was so clear and so beautiful, I could have sat there all day enjoying the views and the summit rocks give great shelter from the wind. It was so peaceful up there, I felt like I was on top of the world.






The descent I found actually much harder than I thought I would. The rocky climb down and various staircases made for tough going on my knees and ankles and I am now wondering if walking poles would help with this (recommendations welcome) But seeing a huge group of deer and stag on the hillside made it worthwhile. Sadly, a crappy iPhone camera was not good enough to pick them up but they were certainly watching us as we clambered past.



After the long descent, stopping for a quick look at the waterfalls and then onwards through the small bit of forest, we stopped for a lunch break beside the big old house, which I believe used to be stayed in by Queen Victoria, and let the dogs cool themselves off in the Loch, a well deserved rest for their little legs, although after some food they were both full of beans again. **Tip - in behind the house in one of the doors that look like stables, there is a very well equipped and maintained Bothy for any keen campers or walkers who want to sit and have a bite to eat and escape the midges.





A few welcome flat km, passing the boathouse for another last swim for the pooches and we were back to the car after a wonderful and really enjoyable 7.5 hour day.



What will be next I wonder???! Any Munro recommendations are more than welcome. I have heard there is on where you pass the wreckage of an RAF aircraft so would be interested to see this.