An early morning Braemar Corbett

Hill: Creag nan Gabhar
Category: Corbett
Height: 834
A double outing today so an early start saw only 2 more cars in the car park (£3 charge). The walk start is a historic right of way, Jock’s Road, worth investigation and a poignant read as as its most recent incarnation is the Land Reform Act which allows us to walk with freedom in Scotland. 

The start of Jock's road

The rough track follows the Callater Burn, fast running brown and white water as it cascades through the rocks, still high after the recent rain.

The ridge ahead with Corbett the highest point

After half a mile or so there is a turn to head up a very rough estate track zig zagging to reach Sron Dubh.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary?

 Although it is not bright the butterflies are flying and caught this little cracker amongst the heather and thistles.
A couple are spotted ahead of me so I wonder if I will catch them up. Turns out not it doesn’t take too long.

On the ridge just follow estate track to the summit

Once on the ridge it is an excellent walk, albeit along the basic track created for the grouse shooting not us walkers. The bigger Munros are still just covered in cloud but my target is in the clear.
Red grouse almost wait until they are trodden on before bursting out of the heather, my ticker gets a fright. Must have seen a couple of dozen or so today.
Luckily I also saw a few mountain hares today, they must have escaped the culls.

There is an alternative start from those woods, shorter but much steeper

There a few minor ups and downs but the route is clear as it takes a slow right hander too reach the top of the Corbett. Good going 1 hour 20 to the top. 

View from far away cairn I can hear the motor bikes below

Good views to enjoy. It is worth taking the short walk on to the far away cairn, superb views up to the Cairnwell, albeit its top stayed in cloud.

Aosda in foreground, The Cairnwell behind

After spending some time enjoying the views, the top very windy but balmy warm, I took the slow descent back the same way. There is a circular route but I preferred the high level descent taking in the great views back to Braemar, Ben Avon, Morrone etc.

Descent looking back to Braemar

The clouds are disappearing as the heat kicks in, glad I was up in the hills early. There are some high tops here that are not classified but look tough wee beggars.

Callatar burn and Morrone behind

On the ground walk back to the car the tourists have arrived. The aforementioned two the only people I saw until about a dozen in 200 metres.
An excellent short walk with top drawer views.
Now there are 18 holes on the highest golf course in Scotland to look forward to.

Wildlife: Meadow pipit; Wheatear; Red Grouse; Grey Wagtail; Golden plover; Mountain hare, Small tortoiseshell; Fritillary ( probably pearl bordered)

Time: 3.11
Ascent: 1647ft (550m)
Distance: 7.85m 12.8(km)