Glas Tulaichean & Càrn an Rìgh, Glenshee

Summary

This pair of Munros lie out in the empty lands of the Mounth between Beinn a'Ghlò and Glen Shee. Glas Tulaichean has a track almost right to the summit but good views, whilst Càrn an Rìgh is a less shapely but much wilder and more remote.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good track almost to summit of Glas Tulaichean, then rougher hill-walking to reach remote Càrn an Rìgh and for the descent.

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.

Getting there

Start

Spittal of Glenshee.

Public Transport

Daily Ember bus from Dundee/Blairgowrie and Aberdeen/Braemar.

Start Grid Ref

NO105701

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 27km / 16.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1085m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Glas Tulaichean
Munro: Càrn an Rìgh

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Walk Description

User reports (48)

Stage 1

There is a parking area at the start of the private drive to the Dalmunzie Castle Hotel. The first two kilometres of the walk is along the drive to the hotel itself; alternatively the walk can be shortened by paying to park at the hotel itself by calling at reception. The hotel is a magnificent baronial mansion; on reaching it continue on the track which passes it to the right and leads towards Glenlochsie Farm. Use the detour to bypass the farmyard using marker posts through the field on the left, soon rejoining the track west up Glen Lochsie. The track crosses the river at NO079717 - if the river is low you can remain on the track which crosses back again later. Alternatively the crossings can be avoided by following a sharp zig-zag to the right and then back left at a higher level.

Stage 2

This is the line of an old railway which was built to bring down stone for extensions to Dalmunzie Castle in 1921. The line remained in use for sporting guests up until the 1970s and there are still some old concrete sleepers along the way as well as a bridge over a substantial burn coming down the hillside. A second burn has had its bridge washed away and must be forded. Just beyond this, above the ruins of Glenlochsie Lodge, the bulldozed track joins back in from the left. Follow this track as it winds up the slope onto the broad ridge of Breac-reidh.

Stage 3

The track continues right up onto the dome of Glas Tulaichean, detracting greatly from the feeling of being out in the hills, but the views are extensive. At its highest point leave the main track and head to the right for a short distance to reach the summit, passing a small cairn before reaching the trig point marking the Munro summit. In clear conditions there are good views down into the craggier ground of the Ghlas Choire just to the east.

Stage 4

Descend northeast at first around the rim of this corrie, then at the shoulder aim north to keep to the left of another corrie - Glas Choire Bheag - and avoid descending the ridge between them.

Stage 5

When the boggy ground beneath Mam nan Càrn comes into view ahead aim northwest on the final steeper descent to pick up a stalkers path across the boggier slopes just on the far side of the bealach. Follow this path to the 771 metre bealach beneath Càrn an Rìgh. From here leave the path to tackle the slopes opposite; the ascent is made less steep by keeping a little to the left at first before the final more direct climb to the summit across short grass and stones. Càrn an Rìgh may be the lower of the two peaks at 1029 metres but it is in the heart of some truly wild country, and has a fine view of Beinn a'Ghlò to the west.

Stage 6

Retrace your steps to the bealach and along the stalkers path below Mam nan Carn. This peters out into a bog, but soon appears again, aiming for the south side of Loch nan Eun. The loch is surprisingly extensive, a lonely and atmopheric place at almost 800m.

Stage 7

From here there is a good view down the length of Gleann Taitneach, the route of descent. Keep to the left of the stream down the first steep section, using a boggy path. A bulldozed track can then be picked up after about a kilometre and a half. This fords the Allt Elrig side stream to continue down the glen.

Stage 8

The steep-sided glen gives a long but pleasant walk back towards Dalmunzie. Leave the track at NO089723 to cross a recently rebuilt footbridge over the Allt Ghlinn Thaitneach. Once across, follow a path down the west bank; this rejoins the outward route close to the Dalmunzie Hotel. When the track is reached turn left to return to the hotel and back along the drive to the start.

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