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Geallaig Hill from Braenaloin on B 976 road from Gairnshiel Lodge to Balmoral.

Start/Finish

Unofficial parking area on the verge opposite Braenaloin cottages on B 976 road from Gairnshiel Lodge to Balmoral. There is room for several cars.

Distance/Time

8 km.      Approx 4 hours.

Peaks

Geallaig Hill, 743 m, NO 297 981. OS sheet 37.

Introduction

An easily ascended peak with fine moor land views and, on clear days, views to Lochnagar and Ben Avon as well as to Mount Keen, Culardoch, Mona Gowan and Morven. The views make this walk worth saving for a good weather day. Navigation is easy on good tracks all the way. For those who enjoy photographing landscapes, this is the perfect hill. Even Balmoral and the River Dee are clearly visible.

Route

(1) The ascent track begins opposite the lower end of the Braenaloin buildings. Follow the gentle and mainly gravel track (in places a double track) up the obvious ridge. As the track levels out higher up, a fence comes in from the left and goes all the way to the summit as does the track which is slightly further than is shown on the 1996 OS map. Within about an hour, reach the trig point of Geallaig Hill, 743 m, which sits inside a circular wall as high as the trig point and offers good shelter from any cold wind from any direction.

(2) Retrace a few metres to where a more heathery track heads down the WSW ridge. Follow this track across some shallow bealachs and over a few cairned tops with hardly any re-ascent. The last top has many cairns sitting on it and just past here, the track forks right and goes down to the road where one turns right and walks downhill back to Braenaloin.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 22^nd May, 2011.

(b) If travelling to this walk from the N, be aware that the old stone bridge, across the River Gairn, just to the N of Gairnshiel Lodge and the junction with the B976, has a very steep hump and that long vehicles may get grounded on it.