A short ramble via a piggy farm.....Brown Muir

Hill: Brown Muir (presumably as stated. A moorland hill whose colour is mainly brown)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 339m

Today was planned to be a bike trip but the rain was relentless and according to the forecasts it was going to stay like this until lunchtime at least. It is not a lot of fun cycling in the rain and I am here for fun, so plan B.

On with the waterproofs and I headed for the start of Brown Muir. The amount of standing water, huge pools of water, showed just how much rain had come down overnight.

Still lovely rural countryside as I drove up the progressively muddier track to Teindland Farm (sounds Germanic). Teindland is a pig farm and there are many of them around here, never seen so many piggy's in my life.

The rain was still relentless as I walked to the side of a gate to gain the track that would take me all the way to the top. Another mast topped Sub2k.

I was walking alongside the pigs some of whom were moving towards me taking an unhealthy interest. Maybe they knew I had eaten a bacon roll a couple of days ago. They make a lot of noise some of which sounded quite aggressive to me. Between me and them was a single low wire, presumably electrified. Also another flimsy fence with a double barbed wire. I was thinking that neither seemed substantial as I looked around for my escape routes, climbing a tree the only option.

At the end of the pig section an S bend and I walked passed the ruined farm of Moniemouies. The track led me to another gate, closed and with a couple of ominous signs. I had seen fairly new born calves in several places yesterday so I knew their presence was a possibility.

With my hood tightly pulled round my head and with the rain still pouring down hearing something was less likely so I was constantly head scanning, but mainly downwards, for any sign of recent cow pats. Thankfully there were none and the signs were just attention seekers, for today at least.
As I gained height the track was deteriorating big style, this was hard walking on my dodgy leg. A sudden strong smell but it was a fox not a cow.

I could just make out the mast in the gloom when the track dipped and a big deep pool of water was in the way, wet feet. Fortunately I could detour around on less soggy grass and made the final climb up to the mast and the trig point just beyond it.

Trig appears out of the murk

Unusual 'Lossiemouth' type trig with its cast iron hat on

No idea why there is a visitor log up here so any answers would be welcomed

This trig was an interesting shape with a black coned top. On the far side there was an opening and hidden away was a plastic tub which I understand contains a visitor log of sorts. With this rain I was not opening it and spoiling the contents so my summit will go unrecorded.

I had read a report which suggested the real top was 50 metres away in the heather. Not according to my map which showed this as a plateau and nothing looked higher so this was fine for me.

About 10 minutes into my descent the clouds lifted, the sun came out but paradoxically for a couple of minutes the rain intensified to the heaviest of the day, so weird.

With the better light I could now appreciate why the hill got its name as at this time of the year it was swathed in dark brown heather.

On the descent the size of the pig farm became obvious, widespread and this is just one of the many fields.

Back at the car it was too late to go back and get the bike out for my planned ride. The leg felt good so time to take on another wee Sub2k.

Ascent: 190m

Distance: 6.1km

Time: 1.24

Wildlife: Sparrowhawk; Coal Tit; Red Grouse; Stonechat; Wren; Meadow Pipit

One for the baggers.....Meall Alvie

Hill: Meall Alvie

Type: Sub2k

Height: 560m

An early hint of Autumn when I opened the curtains this morning, damp with clouds hovering just above the rooftops. Forecast for high hills was that it might clear by noon but be under cloud later in the afternoon. Not worth the effort for no views so Plan B into operation.

Meall Alvie was my choice. I had planned to do it tomorrow but today I should get some views with its lower height but I also knew it was a potentially rough terrain ramble.

As it was a short hike and I wanted to get a bit more exercise so I cycled to the start but not only was it a grey morning it was also windy and decidedly cool as I made my way alongside the River Dee heading for the Invercauld estate. Stopped for a minute and watched a ghillie teaching some newbie anglers how to cast. Doubt that they will be catching in that very low water.

Felt a bit strange to just breeze past the car park as I headed straight up the forest track. As I approached my start point for leaving the bike a huge red deer hind walked out of the pine trees on my left, crossed my path and with a quick glance towards me entered the trees on the other side. I was so busy trying to spot it in the woods that I went past my starting point so had to double back to find it.

The start of the track

Most of the walk reports that I had read had described this as hard going but like the report by ‘Walking with Kids’ I had spotted a track on the map that seemed like it could save a lot of undergrowth bashing. I had first thought about this hill a few years back when I walked past it en route to bagging the Corbett double and even then it looked a toughie from other starts but it also suggested some good views if there was a break in the trees.

I pushed the bike up the track to find a tree to attach it to. The track was quite overgrown from the start. Heather encroaching and much natural pine tree growth and I suspect that in a few years this path will be a no no.

Another sign of early Autumn were the multitude of money spider webs on show this damp morning. I had kept on my waterproof leggings knowing the undergrowth would be high and wet but also as a bonus a lot of leg scratches were avoided. As well as all those ticks and other beasties. But somewhere along the way I got bitten on my neck, probably as I brushed past low hanging trees. I was not to become aware of the impact of the bites until later.

Looks wider than reality, I reckon my neck beastie bite took place around here

Thankfully opening out

Made good progress and then reached the bracken/heather patch (snap below from my descent). For about 5 minutes not pleasant going battling through the undergrowth so when I reached the trees I was delighted. The hillside from here was steep but the underfoot was so much better, soft mossy grass and large patches of blaeberry shrubbery made for easier going and some nutrition, sour but still sweet.

Lovely section of wild woodland walking

Apart from the odd bird chirping in the trees it was silent going, a nice period of calm and reflection.

Short but brutal

I was almost at the summit where there was another deep heather patch to overcome, which turned out to be the toughest walking of the lot. Waist high heather at times, with many hidden holes, careful going required.

Summit stones

Standing at the top I could see some stones hidden amidst some trees, too far away from the dyke to be part of that. A careful trip around the other side and yes these were the summit stones, probably were part of the dyke originally. 

Short burst of sunlight on Culdaroch, it didn't last for long

Nowadays I would have cycled that good track but back in the days it was a hike

Over to the dyke and some views over to the two Corbetts which brought back memories, that was a long ramble on a warm day as I recall. There was even a spot of sunshine illuminating the flanks of Culardoch.

Descending the good going through the woodland

The horrible bracken/heather section tackled up and down, where's the path?

Magnificent stag

A straightforward return by the ascent route where I got a nice surprise and spotted 3 Stags grazing in a side meadow. The rut is not too far away and these guys wont be pals much more.

I was surprised coming down the track that despite all the berries around there was no scat from pine martins or fox. A pair of buzzards had been calling when I started the hike and the same pair were still going at it when I got back to the bike.

Not what I had planned for the day but an enjoyable Plan B nevertheless.

Ascent: 321m (Bike/Hike)

Distance: 15.8 (Bike/Hike)

Time: 2.21 (Bike/Hike)

Wildlife: Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Coal Tit; Red deer (Hind); Red deer (Stag); Wren; Swallow;

Tiring for the wrong reasons.....Derry Cairngorm

Hill: Derry Cairngorm (The Blue hill of Glen Derry)

Type: Munro

Height: 1155m

After the previous nights stop start sleep I slept soundly last night and awoke at 6am feeling fully refreshed, but more to follow.

I arrived at the Linn of Dee car park around an hour later and what a greeting the midgies were ferocious and they love biting me. Jacket fully zipped and hooded, glasses on, I quickly removed the bike from the back, boots on and cycling as quickly as I could.

Luckily I had kept on my light jacket from the midge protection as it was on the cool side when I cycled to Derry Lodge. 

The forest section ahead with Creag Bad an-t Seabhaig beyond

Upon arrival at the lodge and securing my bike the car park midgies cousins erupted so I was very quickly on my way across the bridge.

Apart from the buzzing of bees on the beautiful pink/purple heather it was silent as I made my way up the ever steepening track.

I had been surprised at my sound sleep, not normal for me to sleep so deeply. On the bike ride my legs did not feel too good and as I steeply ascended I was very chesty. I had two prominent insect bites from yesterday and I suspect one of these was responsible.

Now I was wondering how far I would get on today's ramble. I therefore had less focus on how nice a start this was. Upwards through the tree lined heather on a very good rising path the only sound apart from the bees and my heavy breathing was a small family of Coal Tits moving through the trees. They got quite agitated at one point but I could not see any predator.

I had a few short stops which were much required as I knew I was struggling a bit. The last break was where I took half a banana and an energy gell and these made all the difference. I have never known a nutrition hit to energise me so much. 

Easier walking and thus easier breathing

Mind and body improved, even more so when I cleared the steep ascent at Creag Bad an t-Seabhaig and the vista started to open up. An unexpected wow moment as I took it all in, the steep start was now worth it.

It was still much colder than expected. Blame the midgies, I had grabbed a lightweight jacket from the car but it was designed more for waterproofing than warmth.

Still looking at the summits ahead and around there was still a lot more cloud shrouding them, maybe the wet gear would be required.

I was really enjoying this open section with all round fantastic views. The first sighting of Derry was with a clear summit but at the next sighting it was cloud covered, one of those days.

View into Glen Derry and a very dry Derry Burn. Beinn Bhreac behind Beinn a' Bhurd behind that again.

Onwards and upwards, bypassing Carn Crom I now had Little Cairngorm in sight. Eventually this lump blocked out views of Derry itself. I had not realised that the term ‘Derry’ was a relatively recent addition as the hill was previously known simply as Cairngorm. But then you have had two in the region with the same name, hence the addition of Derry. Although does it matter, there are 3 Corbetts named Carn Dearg’s in the Fort William section.

Ben Macdui

Little Cairngorm

There were some smashing views on either side as I ascended which helped break the hike as I rested and checked what I was looking at.

As is frequently the case a nice ramble is spoiled by the final section to the summit. In this case a large boulder field which led to quite a few hands on manoeuvres and a few sweary words before I reached the summit.

Northern Cairngorms

Beinn Mheadhoin ahead and Beinn a' Chaorainn on right

Lochan Uaine

Thankfully no cloud up top with excellent views all round apart from Beinn Mheadhoin which did still have cloud cover so I did not get a view of its main feature, its Torrs.

I had considered doing it as well but it was now a hot day and my legs were feeling it. Knowing when to stop is as important on the hills as when out for a drink. 

Getting over this stuff is easier going up than down

The positive aspect of not going further was that I got to enjoy a leisurely descent taking in all the glorious views.

Although it wasn't as peaceful as the ascent. There was a lot of helicopter activity with a pair of very noisy Chinooks both in glens or hovering above ridges, possibly civilian hires bringing materials for repairing tracks etc. but they covered a fair amount of ground.

But the special moment was just as I passed Carn Crom. I heard a fighter jet down in Glen Derry and new it must be close and within seconds it had crested the ridge just in front of me. I have never been so close to a fighter plane, what a noise, ears pounding but a stunning sight. The plane did a full 360 degree roll, not for my benefit I’m sure, before heading towards Glen Tilt. Never mind the Munro that made my day.

Cracking spot for a break

No more drama on the descent. I stopped for my last break with excellent views of the descent where I had struggled earlier plus looking down on the start of the Lairig Ghru which brought back memories from last year.

Final descent and a view of Glen Lui for the ride bike

Collected my bike and cycled back to the car with no midgies at either spot.

A good ramble and it was just enough. When I got back to my digs I showered and fell asleep for almost 2 hours, not normal, blamed those bloody insects.

PS: After this away trip I was still fatigued a couple of weeks later so I went to my GP and got a full set of bloods including my 1st Lyme's disease test. All negative so good news on that front. Also it was good that I waited as the GP said they will not do a Lyme's Disease test until 2 weeks after a bite.

Ascent: 943m

Distance: 23.2

Time: 6.02 (Bike/Hike)

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Raven; Coal Tit;