Low level walks around Glen Gairn

A remote and dramatic place, Glen Gairn follows the course of the River Gairn all the way into the heart of the Cairngorms. The glen's upper reaches are one of the wildest places in the Cairngorms, giving access to Ben Avon as well as an ancient drove road to Tomintoul.

Distance 4 miles/ 6 km. Time 2 hours. Grade moderate.
A short walk to a former 19th century shooting lodge with attractive moorland scenery.

1. From Church Square in the centre of Ballater, turn left towards Braemar on the A93. After 1.5 miles turn right signposted to Tomintoul (22miles) on the A939. Continue on this narrow road following the River Gairn upstream for a further 5 miles. You will come across the historic and listed building, Gairnsheil Lodge.
2. Keep right, still on the A939 to Tomintoul, crossing the distinctive bridge. The start point is a further 2 miles, passing Lime Kilns on your left, the ruin of Shenval on your right, then up and down a steep section before the rough parking on your left, which is guided by a solitary pine at NJ 313026.
3. From the car parking follow the road uphill for 120 m before taking the track on the right heading up behind a small copse of Scots Pine. After 250 m you will come across the ruined farm of Glenfenzie. Juniper and 2 old Gean trees provide the foreground of an excellent view down the Lower Gairn with Mount Keen above. There is a fine old farmhouse fireplace made of dressed granite and it can only be imagined the stories of a bygone age that this fireplace could tell.
4. Retrace your steps back to the fence line and turn left, joining the track. Proceed down through juniper and some old steadings, cross a ford with some stepping-stones and then head uphill towards the col between Tom Liath and Lary Hill. The track crosses over this col higher on the left, before descending down towards Morven Lodge, with the bulk of Morven dominating the skyline.
5. The Keiller family originally owned the complex of Lodge, outbuildings and farmhouse cottages.
6. This remote setting with pine, larch and heather moorland is a perfect habitat for the rare Black Grouse. The route back is retracing steps with grand views ahead of Geallaig Hill.
   

2) Glen Gairn Walk

Distance 8 miles/13 km. Time 4 hours. Grade moderate.
This walk follows the green Glen Gairn with beautiful hill scenery and passes many former crofts and farmhouses.

1. From Church Square in the centre of Ballater, turn left towards Braemar on the A93. After 1.5 miles turn right signposted to Tomintoul (22 miles) on the A939. Continue on this narrow road following the River Gairn upstream for a further 5 miles. You will come to a junction at the historic and listed building, Gairnsheil Lodge.
2. Turn left at this junction and one mile further at the farm of Braenaloin is your start point. The track is signposted ‘Public Footpath to Tomintoul via Loch Builg and Inchrory and to Corgarff and Cockbridge’.
3. The track leads down past a copse of birch, past the cottage of Rinetan, bears left and follows the Gairn, one of the longest tributaries of the Dee. After 1 km you will come to a junction. On the right will be the old farm of Tullichmacarrick and back further right the old manse of Glen Gairn.
4. Keep on the track and one kilometre further on you will come to a sharp bend left, a cottage ruin down on your right and the ford across the Gairn, lead up to the ruins of Easter Sleach.
5. Keep on the track and soon the tin roof of some of the outbuildings of what remains of Daldownie will appear with Ben A’an behind.
6. ‘The Dee from the Far Cairngorms’ and ‘In the Shadow of Lochnagar’, classic books on Folklore and History from the Glens of Royal Deeside, by Ian Murray, gives due reverence to the hard work of the previous tenants of Daldownie, the Bain family. 200 m beyond Daldownie is an old railway bridge, once intended to be used as an extension to the Old Line from Ballater.
7. Take time to visit Daldownie and the bridge and marvel at the exertions of the Atlantic salmon as the spawning grounds drive further into the high Cairngorms. Retrace your steps, heading back up the track then taking the right hand fork.
8. This track now takes a rising traverse; it steepens, soon levels out, and then continues sweeping round right where the high corrie of Lochnagar comes into view.
9. The Blairglass farmhouse with juniper, a limekiln, wells and an old Gean tree is an excellent setting with an expansive view across to Morven and further right, Geallaig.
10. On leaving Blairglass you will pass, high on your right, the old settlement of Bad Fiantaige and then proceed to the junction with the road. Turn left; care should be taken on this initially uphill and steep, section of open road, which then sweeps down and back to Braenaloin.

3) Geallaig Hill

Distance 5 miles/8 km. Time 4 hours. Grade difficult.
A walk up fairly steep open slopes but to one of the best vantage points for Lochnagar and Deeside. This route takes you into open high ground where navigation skills may be needed in poor weather, as well as suitable clothing and equipment.

1. From Church Square in the centre of Ballater, turn left towards Braemar on the A93. After 1.5 miles turn right signposted to Tomintoul (22 miles) on the A939. Continue on this narrow road following the River Gairn upstream for a further 5 miles. You will come to a junction at the historic and listed building, Gairnsheil Lodge.
2. Turn left at this junction and one mile further at the farm of Braenaloin is your start point. The track to start is downhill slightly from the rough off road parking.
3. The road conveniently segregates farming and upland moor management. Spring sees the arrival of returning birds and oystercatchers and lapwings will provide a noisy and aerobatic welcoming chorus. These soon give way to the moorland birds as curlew and plover make their distinctive calls but they too give way to the higher ground and the home of the red grouse with buzzards circling above.
4. The track is easy to follow, passing many grouse butts but leads you eventually to the summit plateaux. Here a large stone shelter round a trig point will give you some respite. However, the 360’ view of Upper Deeside is hardly surpassed and well worth the effort and within the reach of most people who take some exercise. The arctic tundra of the High Cairngorms, Morven, Mount Keen and the jewel in Deeside’s crown, Lochnagar, all are shown to good effect. It is entirely understandable that this view is designated as the Deeside and Lochnagar National Scenic Area.
5. On the descent, 250m from the summit you have a choice; return by your uphill route bearing right or descend leftwards. This route is longer on the return 5.5km and joins and then follows the road, B976, for the final 2 km back to the car.
6. Before that however it undulates and some tracks lead off right and left. Care should be taken and reference made to a map. The route mainly bears right and swings back towards the road. Care should also be exercised on the road but the opportunity exists to explore the Hut Circles and Field System. For further information see www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/archaeology
7. The road is downhill and gives you the opportunity to relax and admire this wild landscape.