Crathie - Spittal of Glen Muick

Mike Taylor

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A long, high, moorland route from Crathie on Deeside across the Balmoral Estate, passing close to Lochnagar to reach the Spittal of Glen Muick.

The route starts at the car parks for Balmoral Castle and Crathie Church, a busy place in the tourist season, but quickly leaves all the hustle behind as it rises gently through woodland and then continues to rise across the heather-covered moorland towards Lochnagar. The route is on good paths almost all of the way, but it crosses long stretches of high exposed moorland with little or no shelter, so check the weather forecast and go well-prepared. 5km from the start there is the option of a small detour to the bothy at Gelder Shiel where you will find some shelter in a granite built bothy located in a small stand of pines. The bothy is basic but has bunk beds and an outside toilet, it was originally the stables for the adjacent cottage frequented by Queen Victoria. Beyond the bothy you have great views across to Lochnagar just a couple of kilometres away. The route then descends to the north-east end of Loch Muick, where there is a visitor centre and toilets.

Not long enough? To extend this walk simply follow it with walk 3856 - 'Loch Muick - Capel Mounth - Glen Doll'. This gives a 16.5 mile crossing of the Mounth from Deeside to Glen Doll.

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Cairngorms