Creag nan Gabhar: in the summer?!

One of our regular winter walks, except this year due to being locked down in Aberdeen, it’s been a while since we were last here; more often than not it’s been in the snow. Driving out it was very still, the windsock at the glider field hanging vertical to the pole, and the temperature looked good.

Stopping at Braemar for a comfort break I was happy to chat to some runners about to embark on the Lairig Ghru race (and glad that I was headed for the hills instead). Continuing down the road we parked up at Loch Callater, quieter than last time we’d passed it. Maybe things are settling down now, the manic surge after ‘release’ beginning to wane?

Walking out, we followed the line of the Callater Burn on a good landrover track into Glen Callater. After a mile we turned and began the steep ascent for the day, again staying on a good track. This continued to ascend more gently to Sròn nan Gabhar.

After this the ascent continued to be gentle, finally reaching Creag nan Gabhar itself. This is marked by a decent cairn, and here we met Jim of the Munro Society, enjoying a good blether about his role there, people we’ve met that he’s friendly with, and all things hills. The day was calm, the scenery beautiful; we were in no rush to go anywhere!

When we did finally leave the summit, we followed the path for a distance before heading off and heather bashing down towards the wee bridge and finally to Loch Callater, trousers tucked into socks in the hope of avoiding ticks!

Sitting outside Callater Lodge were another couple so we stopped to chat, again enjoying the calm day and the sunshine. It truly was glorious!

The final walk back along Glen Callater was a bit of a slog; it was hot, flat, and the least interesting bit of the day. We stopped for a rest part way to break the monotony, continuing on after a time as coffee at The Bothy beckoned. Another great day out.