A partial Good Lady return to the hills.....Coyles of Muick

Hill: The Coyles of Muick

Type: Sub2k

Height: 601m

The higher levels of snow than expected meant Plan B was in operation. The weather was bright but cool and this brought the good lady out of semi retirement. We took the short but stunning drive via the back road by passing Ballater to the walk start.

As we changed the sound of the birds in the high canopies was delightful. Finches and tits could be heard high up but couldn't actually see any.

The first section is through the woods, a good rising gradient I thought, bloody steep was the not unexpected retort from behind.

A fallen tree blocked the path but a minor clamber got us over. On the other side an MTB rider had clearly came across this obstacle rather quickly from the deep tyre grooves in the dirt track. I suspect a crash must have occurred. But no bodies around so on we went and I was glad to leave the trees and reach open moorland. 

Fork left with the track

The views over to the snow covered Lochnagar were beautiful. No doubt there will still be some winter climbers going up those crags.

Initially the track followed the edge of the trees but as we ascended the wind grew in strength and had a bitterly cold edge to it. I suspect the good lady will not be for long on this route. But as often happens we crested a ridge and out of the shade the sun was warming.

Meall Dubh

Good lady doing well but coming to an end soon

The terrain was more flat than not all the way towards Meall Dubh. Looking around this is proper remote moorland all the way to the Munros of the Lochnagar range.

At the base of Meall Dubh the good lady decided this was enough of a comeback and would wait a bit and take in the views and tranquillity then slowly head back. No danger as an easy track.

I now moved on at an increased pace. There is no need to ascend Meall Dubh unless you want to and as I wanted to catch up with her so I decided not to. The bypass track was the wettest and most boggy of the ramble but overall not too bad.

The Coyles of Muick tops were directly ahead with its twin tops making it different although even from here I could see that one of them has a huge cairn. The Coyles of Muick is the description of the whole ridge and the summit is known just as The Coyle.

Some snow still on Mount Keen 

A short steep section started the ascent then levelled off and contoured the hill before climbing steeply again for the short section to the top. Not just one cairn this one has two major ones and a broken trig. I believe one of these was built to commemorate the old Queen who was pictured with Philip on its summit. Its other claim to fame is containing the 2^nd highest outcrop of Serpentine rock in Britain and as such is a site of national importance.

The views were very good from here looking back to Ballater and also of the slightly snow clad Mount Keen.

The wind was trying to blow my cap off so hood up as I went over to the other top. Looks more or less the same height. More pointed this top and a gentle scramble had me on the top. Excellent views of Lochnagar and its famous climbing crags.

Route back 

Now a fast descent meeting up with other walkers, ‘we passed your wife etc’ yeah what a blabber she can be.

Comma butterfly

I spotted a butterfly sunning itself, tortoiseshell I thought, quickly took a couple of snaps but it was only when I looked at them later I realised it was a ‘Comma’ not one I had photographed before so delighted.

Caught the good lady just as she reached the car, she was moving a lot quicker than I expected, I suspect she was at it.

Still a lovely short ramble with superb views, yet again a Sub2k delivers. Now guaranteed it must be coffee and cake in Ballater, not complaining.

Ascent: 446m

Distamce: 10.69

Time: 2.51

Wildlife: Comma Butterfly; Meadow Pipit; Pheasant;