Walk 18

Monday 6th October

Spittal - Ben Earb - Glenlochsie

Very Strenuous

Distance:  14km/8miles, 800m ascent
Start:  Royal Hotel, Blairgowrie. 09:00

Finish:  Spittal Hotel for refreshments at 15:30.  Bus leaves for Blairgowrie at 16:30
Limit: 25
Notes: Very Strenuous.  Hillwalking gear required. Packed lunch required.

Maps: Landranger 43, Explorer 387

About the walk:  

This is a little-walked route high above the head of Glenshee. Much of it is above the Corbett qualifying height of  762 m and in fact the highest point, Meall a’ Choire Bhuidhe at 868m, is well above Ben Gulabin the Corbett on the other side of the glen. Why is it not a Corbett? - Because, if you continue along the ridge you will eventually reach the Munro Glas Tulaichean without achieving the required 500ft of descent and re-ascent.

It is, nevertheless, a very interesting walk. It climbs south west from the Spittal of Glenshee to An Lairig on the Cateran trail, then follows the ridge north west  before dropping down to Glen Lochsie. This was famous for its light railway built to bring shooting parties up from the road at Dalmunzie House to Glenlochsie Lodge after the First World War. The old railway track bed can still be seen, together with piles of rails awaiting restoration, across the glen. Our route follows a little-used hill track back to the Spittal.

 

 

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Ben Earb (on left) from the bottom of Gleann Taitneach

It flew away!  On the Lairige Burn by the Spittal.
© Nick Cole © Nick Cole
   
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The way up to the Lairig Gate Glenlochsie Lodge
© Sue Cole © Lorna Johnson