Braemar weekend, 24-26 Oct, 2025
The club’s weekend trip to Muir Cottage near Braemar came with a chilly forecast. Strong northerly winds, a result of Storm Benjamin disrupting the continent, brought an early wintery feel to the weekend. Ten hardy souls traversed the Lecht road in daylight, enjoying the autumn colours, convening around the wood-burning stove in the well-appointed Muir Cottage. Two prospective members failed to turn up, leaving those in the hut worried if they were just delayed or had encountered a problem.
Saturday morning heralded moody conditions, but broadly as expected. Robin set off for Creag Bhalg, enjoying cups of tea in seclusion, discovering a new howff, and exploring a new bit of the ridge. It obviously wasn’t winter on that hill… while the largest party planned a route to make the best of the conditions. Carn na Drochaide, from Linn of Quoich was planned, but circumnavigating the hill to come at it from the North, and with the brisk winds behind the party. Becky, Katy, Margaret, Richard and Martin set off promptly, following the Dee downstream, to cross into Gleann an t-Slugain. At this point a pair of Crossbills loudly made themselves known and caused a halt to observe them closely. Up the glean the sun put in a few appearances, but the wind and a few showers gained the ascendance as we ascended.
Near the bealach an old lodge provided a wind break for a second lunch stop. From there on horizontal sleet, rainbows, windows towards the snowy Beinn a’Bhuird, and snowy tussocks vied for attention. The summit views were worthwhile, before we rapidly descended down the direct path back to the Linn, and a short view of the Punchbowl and Queen Victoria’s picnic house, which has been recently renovated.
On Saturday, Peter headed along to Invercauld and headed up to Gelder Shield in the chilly conditions. Peter and Marion had thought of going up Carn Mor 706m, east of Glen Ey, but thought the wind might make it unpleasant higher up and settled for a walk up Glen Ey, as far as the bridge at 100 850. This was a pleasant walk up a good track, with more sunny spells than expected. Good shelter was found behind the gable wall at the ruin of Auchelie for both elevenses and lunch during a respectable 11k walk.
A few drams were consumed through the evening, accompanied by various philosophical discussions, including whether to ignore the clock’s changing or not.
Following a very early, in GMT terms, start, the hut was cleaned and tidied in advance of an 8am departure by Becky, Katy, Margaret, Richard and Martin. We’d our eyes on bagging a second Corbett of the weekend, Carn na Gabhar, South of Braemar, before the weather deteriorated in early afternoon. This hill has a good landrover track all the way up, making for easy navigation despite the thin snow cover. Horizontal snow and sleet again provided accompaniment, while Becky managed a stiff hip, likely a result of a big cycling trip than the previous day’s excursion. Surprising a few grouse, on what is clearly a shooting estate, on the ascent, we arrived at the summit to find a dozen awaiting us.
Words: Martin and Peter;
Photos: Martin
Taking Part: Becky, Katy, Margaret, Martin, Michael, Peter, Peter & Marion, Richard, Robin.
Heading off SE from the top a still-brown hare lolloped away, before we found the main flock of grouse lower down – a good 50 scattered across the hillside. A descent via Callater Lodge and the Stable bothy (bunk beds, but no fireplace) for lunch took us below the snowline. Walking out we reconvened for coffee, cake and a change of clothes in Braemar before the drive home.
The other’s found the Sunday weather was less kind and they visited the Mountain Sports coffee bothy, before being home by lunchtime as the rain continued.
All in all a very sociable weekend, in a lovely hut, where we were reminded about packing goggles and getting the winter gear ready, whether for backcountry skiing or mountain walking.
