Another Graham for the good lady.....Geallaig Hill

Hill: Geallaig Hill (White one)

Type: Graham

Height: 743m

Another straight hill for the good lady with the prospect of good views. After yesterdays rain fest it was just nice to think about getting out. Yet another grouse moor but is there anything else around here?

So much for the forecast it was still heavy rain when we got up and continued mid morning before we decided to just go for it. It is great to be driving short distances and a new hill each time.

Instructive signs and they are different for each route

From the starting point near the small farm of Braenaloin it looks a fairly featureless hill. Looking around it is hard to believe that within a short distance a sizable population lived and farmed here. In fact the OS map has 'hut circles and field systems'. Now just sheep and grouse.

Track can be seen scarring the moor

As always my research picked out a hill for the good lady that has a track most of the way, this time it went all the way. 

Patchwork moor looking towards Mona Gowan

A pleasant walk in slightly damp conditions enjoying the sound of the grouse as they burst out from the heather. Not really a lot to say just walk slowly taking it in, the best views are looking back and did that a few times to give her a breather.

The final section is the steepest but levels off when we reach a fence. However, we met the clouds so the wind and rain had picked up with a significant drop in temperature. In fact the nearby Lochnagar forecast was for sleet but we were not quite that high.

Big cairn

The cairn came into view, not hard to see as it is another huge pile of stones. Looking down Balmoral Castle is not far away and estate track looks like it could go all the way there. So the likelihood is that this is another pile for Victorias coronation. 

Track all the way round the cairn

Oddly there is a well worn track in the heather circling the cairn, maybe a few rituals take place up here because it certainly won't be by the number of walkers bagging the Graham.

It is nor all moor, looking back to the start

There is an option to track back a bit and make it a circular route by following the obvious estate track across the lower tops but it ends with a long road walk so we opted to just go back the same way.

Amongst the heather, pretty but not sure what it is

Although the weather never really lifted there were still decent views on the descent and the bilberries were ready to be picked although most were tasteless, not enough sun recently, an issue for all of us.

Still an enjoyable short walk and just enough for the good lady. She enjoyed it and another Graham bagged for her, I doubt she will be focusing too much on that. Now time to head to  Ballater for coffee and cake, that will appeal more! 

Wildlife: Buzzard; Meadow Pipit; Wheatear; Raven; Golden Plover; Red Grouse

Ascent: 413m

Distance: 6.2km

Time: 2.08