A Short Stroll in Glen Callater

Distance: 2.5km; Negligable Ascent; with Lynsey & Isabel

See route in new window

As Lynsey was taking part in this year's TGO Challenge, I had driven up to meet her in Braemar yesterday morning with Isabel, after our overnight halt at Cumbernauld on route.  After meeting her, we had a leisurely afternoon in town with Isabel having fun running around the Highland Games park.  Then later that evening, Lynsey went out to enjoy the festivities at the Moorfield House Hotel.

We spent the morning in Braemar meeting various TGO challengers, before having lunch at The Old Bakery.  At around 1:30pm Lynsey hoisted her pack onto her back and headed south along the A93.  Around half an hour later Isabel and I drove up the road to the car park at Auchallater to wait for her.  After a snack of home-made chocolate buns, we set off walking along the vehicle track up Glen Callater with me carrying Isabel in the rucksack carrier.

Beinn a'Bhuird and Ben Avon from bottom of Glen Callater

The weather was much better than yesterday, and according to Lynsey it was easily the best day of weather so far on this year's crossing.  There were excellent views over towards the snow covered eastern Cairngorms, and we could pick out some of the tors of Ben Avon; there were also good views up Glen Callater.

Creag na Dearcaige above Glen Callater

We continued up the vehicle track to where the glen curves around to the south; here Isabel got down and did a spot of walking under her own steam for a few hundred metres, interspersed with splashing in every puddle possible!

Callater Burn

Soon it came to the time for Isabel and I to part company with Lynsey, who was heading further up the glen to camp outside Lochcallater Lodge for the traditional evening's merriment!  Isabel and I however, had to turn around and head back down the glen.

Looking down Glen Callater towards the eastern Cairngorms

On the way back to the car we passed several groups of challengers heading for Lochcallater Lodge, including Ian C, Andrew W and Alan S.  We reached the car at around 4:15pm and after a picnic tea for Isabel we headed for Brechin where we will be staying for the rest of the week.