Friday 1 May 2026 - Carn Aosda, The Cairnwell and Carn a' Gheoidh

For our last day based at Persie House, Keith took a crowd to Monamenach and I joined others for a walk from the Glenshee Ski Centre. This always reminds me of a brilliant day out on 24 June 1989, when John Mansell (RIP) and I climbed seven Munros in a day from this pass. I had new boots that gave me blisters, and we were carrying full rucksacs in preparation for camping near the summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhor. The trip was also memorable as we had only decided to do it the previous evening after a meeting in Jackson's Boat to sort out arrangements for a  memorable AV2 expedition in the Dolomites, so our day had started with a 310 mile drive to Glenshee.

We soon passed the last of the ski buildings, as we headed up to the Munro summit of Carn Aosda - a short but steep pull up from the car park.

We were soon looking back down to the pass from the 917 metre summit.

Our next objective was The Cairnwell, an easy walk past Loch Vrotachan.

I had a short rest by this bench constructed from old skis.

The 933 metre summit of The Cairnwell is not the most exciting Munro summit, though it may be the easiest to reach - just a 40 minute stroll from the vast car park.

We soon set off towards our next objective, the slightly higher, at 975 metres, Carn a' Gheoidh.

A spot out of the cool breeze was chosen for elevenses.

Then we continued to the summit cairn of our third and final Munro of the day, this one also being of 'Marilyn' status.

Pictures were circulated by various people at various times - here on the tops of The Cairnwell, Carn a' Gheoidh, and the lower summit of Carn Mor.

A large bird studied us at length.

We were rewarded with good views from the broad ridge along which all of us except Mike (who went back down to the car park) descended to the Spittal of Glenshee where Julie's car was conveniently parked.

There were good views across the valley to Glas Tulaichean, where the little dot pottering along the ridge could well have been David.

To the east, a good view of the hills to the east of the pass, where Dan had chosen to go today.

We milled around and finished our flasks on the top of the lesser summit of Carn Mor, before finding a good track down to Julie's car.

This route, courtesy of Julie, proved to be much better than heading straight down to the car park, and was enjoyed by all of us - me, Sue, Julie, Simon, Jenny, Richard and Roger. 

16 km, with 650 metres ascent, taking about 6 hours.

Later, a speech from Keith, celebrating 40 years of marriage, and a few well chosen words from David.

Then our last dinner together, followed by indoor and outdoor photos.

Subject to a bit of editing of earlier diary entries, that's it from Persie House, a good venue for up to 24 of us, with perfect weather and hearty meals provided by chef Heather, helped by her mum, Moira.

Thursday 30 April 2026 - Glen Feshie

 

Sue had one remaining Munro to climb in the Cairngorms. Despite the need for a long (hour and three quarters) drive, we pulled up at the Achlean car park near Feshiebridge before 10am.

Sue then shot off to climb Mullach Clach a' Bhlair on another 'blue sky' but rather windy day.

Meanwhile, I had a day off, just venturing out for a short walk in the breeze.

I turned back at the Achlean ford and went looking for the footbridge higher up. I couldn't find it. Here's my route  - 5.3 km with 140 metres ascent. 

Sue got ahead of her 7 hour schedule and went to the top of Sgor Gaoith, her second Munro of the day, before returning to join me at the car just a little over 6 hours after setting off.

Tuesday 28 Apriĺ 2026 - Carn a' Mhaim

Leaving Persie House at 7am enabled Sue to depart from the Linn of Dee car park an hour later for her cycle into Glen Lui and the traverse of The Devil's Point, Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine.

The River Dee was in benign form as I crossed the bridge beyond the National Trust car park (above).

Sue shot off ahead whilst I made a false start, having forgotten to bring the key to my bike lock. The easy track as far as Derry Lodge, then a push over a narrow bridge and a more difficult pedal, with sandy sections and water culverts, led me to within 250 metres of the bridge over the River Lui, where I decided to abandon the bike. Of course, I had the key, but the actual bike lock was sitting happily back in the car. Never mind.

Here's the view back down the valley from Luibeg Bridge.

And this is looking up the valley.

Soon I was on the steep ascent to the 1037 metre summit of Carn a'Mhaim. Starting at around 500 metres, this ascent wasn't demanding, especially as I knew that others in our party had given me a 2 hour start.

On reaching the summit I enjoyed good views all round, and particularly across to The Devil's Point, from where Sue had already broadcast her progress. 

Here's the view back to Derry Lodge.

A couple joined me on the summit and kindly took a photo.

After consuming half my lunch, I said goodbye to the couple and headed back down via the substantial cairn at the subsidiary 1014 metre summit.

Good views as I descended, on the way meeting those who had given me a two hour start, before I reached Luibeg Bridge again and embarked on a search for my discarded bike.

This tree stump had me puzzled.

A pleasant bike ride got me back to the Linn of Dee car park by 3:30. Here's my route - about 20 km on the bike plus a 7.4 km walk with 600 metres ascent, taking me a little over 7 hours.

The others turned up at 5:30, after a paddle in the river, and Sue pedalled in 20 minutes later, slightly ahead of schedule after a brilliant day's walk and an impressive three Munro tally.