A walk in cloud and sunshine.....Morven

Hill: Morven

Type: Corbett

Height: 872m

My final outing of this trip was the second most easterly Corbett which is situated in beautiful Deeside. Morven finished the triangle of hills that I wanted to complete in this area. The others have been technically Cairngorms, I suppose something has to be over the boundary. No good lady today so a solo ascent should be a little bit quicker.

Although it was a slightly longer drive to the start I tackled it from the normal shorter but steeper eastern side. What an beautiful atmospheric early morning drive as the light and heavy mist rippled through the trees all the way, stunning.

No other car in the parking area and a red squirrel ran closely past as I tied my boots, only feet away and apparently totally unconcerned. smile on my face.

Smile disappeared as I checked my GPS to find that I had not downloaded my route. It was a last minute decision as I was originally going to walk another Corbett but still a silly error. I also knew I had no map for this section. The clouds were low but I decided to take a chance that there would be a track although looking from here there was nothing obvious.

Ruined cottage and lower slopes of Morvern

I remembered that I had to go past the ruined farmhouse and go through the gate onto the moor, so that bit was straightforward. From here there were two faint tracks, right or left. Both quickly disappeared into the heather.

Narrow wet track into the clouds

I opted to right and indeed there was a narrow track through the heather. Only issue was the heather was wet and I had not put on gaiters. Result was I had to brush past the heather my trousers from knee down were soaked, should I give up? No kept going and rewarded with a Black Grouse bursting out of the heather just in front of me.  

The first 300m section was steep and then got steeper, this got the lungs blowing and the pores exuded last nights very tasty Australian Pinor Noir. The clouds were coming and going and when they stayed it got cold but the narrow track continued.

Is that the top, of course not false top number 1

Above the clouds for now and onto a flatter boggy section before another short steep climb to the large mid cairn. Gun butts line the flanks but quite a few red grouse have survived so far. Then it repeats flat then steep. 

Finally summit in view, large cairn on left, cairn and trig on right

Finally the angle of gradient eases and the large cairn can be seen. The wind is bitter but the clear air gives fabulous views.

Red kites

I was glad to reach the sheltered trig to get a mid layer on. Also delighted to see a pair of red kites flying slowly and fairly close but the sun hindered my view of them. They seemed equally unconcerned with the buzzing ravens. Great views across Deeside but Lochnagar has heavy cloud cover.

Heading back to Mid cairn with Deeside countryside

Decided to just descend by the same route. I knew there was an easier less steep descent but as I was not sure where the track went no point. The descent was more awkward than the ascent as the steep path was full of loose stones/rocks and heel slipping dirt.

Back into the hanging clouds

Glad to get back through the lingering clouds. An excellent little Corbett and in good time.

Below clouds sun shining and after the moor lush fields looking down to the start

Although we have had a couple of poor days overall it has been a rewarding trip. This area never disappoints with plenty more unconquered hills so health permitting I will be back for years to come.

Wildlife: Red Squirrel; Red Kite; Red Grouse; Black Grouse; Meadow Pipit: Wheatear; Raven

Ascent: 674m

Distance: 7.7km

Time: 2.42

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