Footprints Across Scotland
Why not make a few of your own!
25th July 2010
Glas Tulaichean from Spittal of Glenshee.
From the Spittal of Glenshee we followed the private road up towards the Dalmunzie hotel, parking in the small lay-by set aside for walkers. The road to the hotel runs alongside Shee Water as it trundles its way down through Glen Shee. A little further on a sign pointed us in the right direction so we followed the footpath through a field on our left. Soon joining a landrover track we made our way pleasantly up through Glen Lochsie before crossing the Lochsie burn just below the ruins of Glenlochsie lodge. As we walked up the glen we passed traces of the railway line that used to run from Dalmunzie House up to Glenlochsie lodge. The line of the old railway runs along the north bank of Lochsie water and a few remnants can still be seen. Part way up the Glen on old railway bridge still stands as it fords a gorge that carries a stream off the mountainside. Dalmunzie House was built on the site of a ruined castle in 1907 and was later bought and extended by Sir Archibald Birkmyre. In 1921 he also constructed the railway line, originally to transfer stone for building work but later to ferry stalkers and ghillies to the shooting lodge in Glen Lochsie.
Glen Lochsie
After the lodge the track climbed more steeply until we gained the ridge above Breac-reidh from where we caught sight of the top of Glas Tulaichean.
Glas Tulaichean from Breac-reidh
The higher hillsides around here are covered with short grass and dwarf heather which can make for very pleasant walking. The clouds around the nearer hills were above the summits and we had good views across to Beinn a' Ghlo. Further afield however the central Cairngorm peaks were shrouded in the heavy mist created by passing showers. The well defined track continued and we only needed to leave it to climb the final few meters to the summit. The wind had been blowing fairly steadily during our climb but we soon found shelter by dropping a short way off the leeward side of the hill. During lunch we had a grandstand seat on the edge of Glas Choire Mhor with views all the way out to the Glenshee ski centre.
Glas Choire Mhor
To the north of Glas Tulaichean the stony summits of Carn an Righ and Beinn Lutharrn Mhor were illuminated by the occasionally bright sunshine.
Carn an Righ from Glas Tulaichean
After a mug of tea it was time to move on; certainly as far as Enzo was concerned, he kept hinting at his restlessness by making exaggerated noisy doggy yawns.
Beinn Lutharn Mhor and Loch Nan Eun from Glas Tulaichean
Heading roughly north west we eased our way down toward Loch nan Eun crossing a lower top on our way. Enzo had found some muddy puddles on our way across so we encouraged him into the Loch with a big stick, by throwing it that is! Not that he needs much encouragement when it comes to getting himself wet as he generally splashes his way from one puddle of water to the next.
Loch nan Eun
The loch outflow runs into Allt Easgaidh creating some small waterfalls as it does, we passed by these as we descended down into Gleann Taitneach. The sun was still playing with the clouds and shadows continually skidded across the green hillsides.
Gleann Taitneach
We soon reached the Glen floor near Carn Bhinnein and Creag Bhreac before our umpteenth river crossing of the day lead onto another landrover track.
Carn Bhinnein and Creag Bhreac
After following the track all the way down to the Spittal of Glenshee we crossed over Shee Water before taking the hotel road back to the car. The sun was continuing to shine and so we headed on up to the hotel where Nathalie treated me to a pint. Sitting outside in the hotel garden drinking our beer and enjoying the evening sun made for a very pleasant and rewarding end to the day.
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