Saturday 26 June 2021 - Carn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise, Tolmount and Tom Buidhe

We started by parking beside the A93 road north of the Cairnwell pass, and saying hello to Anne and Ulrich as they pedalled past on a 60 mile journey south.

A quaint bridge marked the start of our walk.

Numerous folk were encountered as we strode up to our first Munro summit for some considerable time.

It was a bit misty, but great to be up high.

Cloudberry loves such conditions.

Three more Munro summits followed, in gradually improving weather, and with numerous friendly encounters.

After an excellent circuit, described below, our final summit of Sron na Gaoithe offered a splendid view towards Braemar, and to the central Cairngorm summits beyond.

Here's our route - 21km with 900 metres ascent, taking us nearly 7 hours.

The route we followed is described in the SMC Munros guide.

On return to Braemar we enjoyed the company of a select band of TGO Challengers outside the chip shop, and later in the Invercauld Hotel bar - which was open despite the hotel being closed.

Alan Sloman turned up, looking freshly laundered and fresh as a daisy, so we enjoyed a beer with him and his 'minder' Lindsay, who is standing in for Uncle Phil this year.

There are far fewer Challengers than usual here in Braemar, but given the Covid crisis and the obvious nervousness of the locals, the numbers are probably about right.