Beinn Iutharn Mhòr and Càrn Bhac, Inverey

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Summary

The long approach up Glen Ey deters many from the round of these two remote Munros. On a busy weekend they give a quieter escape from the busier hills of the area.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

The long approach walk has a good track; the hills themselves are mostly heathery, though very remote; the area between them is peat-hagged and there is some very steep ground heading up Beinn Iutharn Mhor.

Public Transport

None to start; nearest bus stop is in Braemar.

Start

Inverey village. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 32km / 20 miles
Time (summer conditions): 9 - 10 hours
Ascent: 983m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO089892

Summits Climbed

Munro: Càrn Bhac
Munro: Beinn Iutharn Mhor

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (42)

Stage 1

There is a small car park in Inverey. This remote community was the last place in eastern Scotland where Gaelic was spoken, in the 1930s; it is split by the Ey burn; the east side (Meikle Inverey) was Protestant whilst the west (Little Inverey) was Catholic. Begin the walk along the track from Meikle Inverey which heads southwest, soon passing a grand house and then through a gate to approach the Ey burn. After a kilometre both the burn and the track fork; take the left branch, which soon crosses the Ey and then zigzags uphill before continuing up the right hand side of the glen.

Stage 2

Down to the left by the burn is an overhanging rock and gorge (now partly collapsed); this sheltered the Colonel's Bed. In the 17th Century a colonel, outlawed for the murder of a Laird, made this his refuge, and was brought food each day by his lover; it requires only a short detour but take care as the rock edges are loose and slippery. Further on are the scant ruins of Auchelie, an abandoned farm. The track then runs closer to the burn once more; on the far side can be seen the Piper's Wood, which has been fenced as an experiment in regeneration.

Stage 3

Beyond, the track crosses the burn once more on another bridge, before crossing back after another two and a half kilometres; there is a view of Beinn Iutharn Mhòr ahead. The track ends at Altanour Lodge, the sad, roofless ruin of and old shooting lodge, still sheltered amongst its trees and with beautiful grassy pastures. If using a mountain bike, this is the best place to leave it. Continue by churned-up tyre tracks up the glen for another four hundred metres, keeping right at a fork.

Stage 4

A maze of muddy tracks and paths leads on up the glen, eventually crossing the Alltan Odhar and then climbing the ill-defined ridge between it and the Allt nan Clach Geala; at the flattening there are a series of grouse butts. Continue NW and then eventually N, leaving the wet ground beyond for the final short pull to reach the cairn on the stony top of Càrn Bhac, a rather shapeless Munro but offering a grandstand view of the southern Cairngorms.

Stage 5

Follow the ridge towards to the 920m top (marked as Càrn an Rìgh on 1:50k maps) before breaking off and descending southwards down wet ground. Extensive peat hags have to be crossed on the 789m bealach; beyond this a slight rise leads to a second descent to a lower bealach. Beyond this the ground increasingly steepens towards the very steep flank of Beinn Iutharn Mhor. Most of this slope is covered with loose scree; in summer there are traces of a path towards the left side.

Stage 6

The northeastern end of the summit ridge will be reached with some relief. Turn right and follow the graceful curve of the pebbly ridge as it swings left and then right round to the large cairn marking the true summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhòr at 1045 metres

Stage 7

Follow the ridge back northeast and then continue down it as it curves back to the east. Further down there is a steep section before the bleak lower moorland is reached once more. The going now becomes rough once more; either keep to the height of the land or follow very rough paths above the W side of the Allt Beinn Iutharn.

Stage 8

There is a bridge over the Alltan Odhar, not marked on OS maps, before Altanour Lodge is again reached. From here Return back down the long miles of the track (you could have brought a mountain bike here!) to return to Inverey.

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