Low level walks around Inverey

A small hamlet, close by the Dee and only a few miles from Braemar, yet offers an opportunity to view the tops of the high Cairngorms. Some of the remoter southern Cairngorm Munros can be walked from here.

Distance 5 miles/8 km. Time 3½ - 4 hours. Grade difficult (360m ascent)
A short but steep hill walk to the summit of Carn Mor with great mountain scenery. 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 the centre of Braemar take the road to the ‘Village Centre’. Carry on through the village for 4 miles to the start point at Meikle Inverey.
2. A rich seam of local history can be mined here; the memorial to John Lamont, the Astronomer Royal of Bavaria, the Black Colonel o Inverey and Thistle Cottage, the home of the legendary character Maggie Gruer, much loved by hill goers in the 1930’s.
3. Proceed up the track into the woodland for 140 m to the former ‘Factors House’. Turn sharp left and after another 40 m sharp right, where the track leads you through the forest on a rising traverse with the view of Glen Ey in front.
4. The track is of good quality and has straightforward route finding, allowing you to enjoy good views back to the Lairig Ghru and the Cairngorms.
5. After 1km the track zigzags and soon after bears left, go straight ahead, take the uphill right hand branch and head for the coll. The track narrows and is rougher but still straightforward. After 500 m you will come to a ford across the Allt an Leathaid, do not head up into the col but turn right and head round the ‘nose’ of the ridgeline which is now directly in front of you.
6. The track now sweeps round the nose of the ridge and heads up the left hand side of a hidden corrie, where deer, grouse, raven and snow buntings share their home, before going on to the plateaux of Carn Mor.
7. The small limestone cairn indicates the summit of Carn Mor. The terrain en route to the cairn is through rough peat bog and could be difficult to locate in poor visibility and without proper use of map and compass. The weather can change quickly and a keen eye must be kept on any changing weather patterns.
8. The backdrop now is one of the best views on Deeside, with the vista of the Cairngorm Mountains National Scenic Area spread out in front of you.
9. Retrace your steps back into Glen Ey and return to Meikle Inverey.
   

2) Glen Ey Walk

Distance 3 miles/5 km. Time 1¾ hours. Grade easy.
An attractive walk along the green Glen Ey with the option to discover a hidden gorge feature known as the Colonel’s Bed.

1. From the centre of Braemar take the road to the ‘Village Centre’. Carry on through the village for 4 miles to the start point at Meikle Inverey.
2. A rich seam of local history can be mined here; the memorial to John Lamont, the Astronomer Royal of Bavaria, the Black Colonel o Inverey and Thistle Cottage, the home of the legendary character Maggie Gruer, much loved by hill goers in the 1930’s. Proceed up the track into the woodland for 140 m to the former ‘Factors House’.
3. Go straight ahead and after about 2 km there is a sign, ‘Colonels Bed’ leading down into the ravine. This path should be treated with extreme caution, as it can be wet and muddy with sloping, mossy and grassy banks leading into the deep ravine.
4. ‘The Colonels Bed’ area is named after John Farquharson who evaded Government troops here in 1715. From the top of Creagan Chait he watched the Redcoats burn Inverey Castle, he then fled into Glen Ey. Here he used this natural hidden feature where he eventually escaped the clutches of the government troops. His ‘friend’, Anna Ban, supported him with oatcakes, cheese and other supplies.
5. However, Farquharson may have escaped the troops, but his ‘Bed’ has not escaped the ravages of erosion as it has crumbled into the Ey Burn. It is none the less still a spectacular gorge and worth a visit.
6. Retrace your steps back towards the house and as you pass through the locked gate on your right is the ‘deer larder’, evidence that you are in a deer forest where deer management is a significant land use and essential to the local economy.