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.

Wednesday 29 April 2026 - Hill of Persie and Creigh Hill

Nearly all of our squad of 24 joined forces to celebrate Keith and Carol's Ruby wedding anniversary for a walk from Persie House to Persie Hill and back.

We started from our back door and soon passed the small loch behind the house. My Merlin app recorded 16 different bird songs in very little time.

We soon formed a long crocodile on the side of the hill.

A jolly party enjoyed drinks and cake at the 447 metre summit cairn.

There were good views on the 'blue sky' day.

Most of us then yomped through the heather to the 444 metre trig point on the nearby summit of Knock of Balmyle, from where there were more good views.

From time to time on this and other walks this week, hares scurried between viewpoints and small brown lizards squirted from under our feet.

After returning to base through a tree lined avenue, we enjoyed lunch outside the house.

We had walked just 6.3 km, with 220 metres ascent, in a very leisurely two hours and 45 minutes.

Persie House glowed in the sunshine. 

In the afternoon Keith and I went east to the Backwater Reservoir to climb Creigh Hill, a small hill apparently topped by the remains of an Iron Age settlement. 

6

It was a shame to leave the 498 metre summit, but Mac had insisted that we should be back and washed in time for his quiz.

This little outing comprised 4.2 km with 210 metres ascent, taking an hour and a half. 

And the quiz was a success.