Easter in Scotland.

-
Back in Cumbria after a ten day break in Scotland. The weather has been kind to us and we've had some excellent days in the Cairngorm Mountains and the Border Hills.

Saturday - We left Symington early heading for Braemar in the southern Cairngorms. Unfortunately my Mountain Bike decided to fall off the car on the Edinburgh By-pass - a write-off but luckily no one was hurt. We stopped at the Glenshee Ski Centre and climbed Carn a' Gheoidh - a Munro that Susan hadn't climbed when doing it's neighbours Carn Aosda and The Cairnwell.

Susan heading for Carn a' Gheoidh.

On the summit of Carn a' Gheoidh.



The Caravan Club Campsite was virtually empty when we arrived late in the afternoon and remained so for the next five nights. This is a superb site with excellent facilities. http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21994

Sunday - We left early for Loch Muick and the Lochnagar Hills. The car park was busy when we arrived but we set off before most people and the hill was quiet by Lake District standards. The weather was superb and the visibility excellent. From Lochnagar we headed out to 'bag' two other Munros on Susan's list Carn a'Choire Bhoidheach and Carn an t-Sagairt Mor. All that then remained was a long walk out. A great day on the hill.

The magnificiant cliffs of Lochnagar.


Heading for Lochnagar summit.

The summit trig point and superb view.


Carn a'Choire Bhoidheach summit cairn.


Monday - After picking up a hire Mountain Bike from Braemar Mountain Sports http://www.braemarmountainsports.com/ we headed to the Linn of Dee Car Park. From here we cycled in to Derry Lodge where we left the bikes and headed off to climb Carn a' Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm. It was a cloudier and colder day but the mountains still looked great with the last of the winter snow lingering in the high corries. We saw only two other people on this round. Amazing!!!!

Cycling in to Derry Lodge.


Three pictures on the ridge of Carn a' Mhaim with great views of the Cairngorm Mountains.








The view across Loch Etchachan to Cairngorm and Beinn Mheadhoin.

Susan at Derry Lodge ready to cycle out.



Tuesday - Another Mountain Bike approach this time to climb Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon - a long day. The weather wasn't quite as good and at times rain threatened but it was another fantastic mountain day during which we met no other parties on the hill.

Cycling in at the start of a long day.

Keeping going 'on Jelly Babies' - the summit of Beinn a Bhuird.


Threatening clouds on route to the tor at the top of Ben Avon.


The summit tor gets nearer.


Scrambling down from the summit of Ben Avon.

Starting the long walk out with Beinn a Bhuird in the background.


Wednesday - My last day with the hire bike so we headed back to the Lochnagar Hills to climb Broad Cairn and Cairn Bannoch. This is made much easier by cycling to the head of Loch Muick. These two Munros were Susan's last two in Section 7 and take her total to 183. Only 100 to go!!!! http://www.munromagic.com/

The head of Loch Muick having left the bikes.


Heading up Broad Cairn.


Broad Cairn summit.

Cairn Bannoch summit - Susan's 183rd Munro - Only 100 to go!!!!


Cairn Bannoch for the second time - 133 Munro 'repeats' with Susan.


Starting the cycle out.


Thursday - Our last day in Braemar so we climbed a Corbett on my 'list' - Morrone. This lies on the outskirts of the village and is an easy climb. On a clear day the views would be amazing. Unfortunately on this day a haze meant poor visibility.

Starting Morrone.


On the summit of Morrone.

Friday - After an uneventful drive down the road to Symington it was time to do some road cycling. Feeling pretty tired after some long mountain days we headed off on a shortish ride to Peebles and back. This 47 mile round felt harder than normal but was still enjoyable.

Cycling over Dreva on route to Peebles.


On the Tweed Cycle Route.



Saturday - The first rain of the week fell heavily in the morning so we decided on a rest day. By the evening the weather had improved greatly so we went for a wee wander down to the River Clyde. The light was superb.
The River Clyde near Symington.


Culter Fell across the Cyde.


Sunday - This was to be our last 'active' day so we set out early on the bikes. The weather was again fantastic and we had a great 68 mile round taking in parts of South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders. Our longest ride so far this year.

Entering Dumfries and Galloway on route to Moffat.


Climbing up the Devil's Beef Tub.


The Devil's Beef Tub.


Entering the Borders.



Enjoying the ride along Talla Reservoir.

Crossing back into South Lanarkshire.


Monday - We drove slowly back down the road to Cumbria  feeling very relaxed after a great break in 'Bonny Scotland'. One of the best.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A week in Scotland.

-
Image
A week ago now we had an excellent 8 days up in Scotland spending time in Symington, Aviemore and Glasgow. We drove up to Symington on Friday 7 July and on the Saturday had a great ride to Peebles where, of course, we visited Cocoa Blacks for a wee treat. On Sunday we were up early and heading north to Aviemore and the Glenmore Campsite - one of my favourites despite changes in recent years. We had a leisurely drive but still had time for a ride once we'd 'set up camp'. Our route was a circuit to Boat of Garten and then a steep climb up the 'Ski Road' to the base of the Cairngorm Ski Station. This reached 20% in places and Susan wondered why we needed to do it. The views and the descent made it worthwhile.  The weather forecast for Monday wasn't too bad so we decided on a walk in the mountains. We drove up to the Ski Station and then headed for Scotland's second highest top Ben Macdui. It was overcast but dry as ...
Read more

Week off.

-
Image
Susan had last week off work and typically the weather has been very changeable.  On seeing the forecast we decided not to travel up north. The first weekend and Monday was spent in Dumfries and Symington and we cycled on all three days in mixed weather. A red dot in a sea of green - climbing over to Glenkiln. Higher on the climb over to Glenkiln, Dumfries. Disappearing towards Glenkiln.   On the road to New Abbey, Dumfries. Climbing out of New Abbey. On Tuesday we decided to head off on a short camping trip to the south Lakes. Due to the 6 month closure of the Keswick to Ambleside road we've not been beyond Dunmail Raise so this was a great change of scene. We headed first to Coniston to walk the fells above the village something we've not done for 10 years. Again the weather wasn't great for July but we got some great views and thoroughly enjoyed the round. On the Walna Scar Road. Threatening clouds above the fells. ...
Read more

Happy New Year.

-
Image
We decided to stay in Cumbria this New Year - a first for Susan!!! Thankfully the weather was much better than over the Christmas period and we were out on the hill every day. Hogmanay was overcast and windy but it was dry and we had a good day climbing over Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. There were few people out but when we went into Keswick it was busier than ever. Dropping in to the Glenderamackin valley. A makeshift bridge across the burn - the bridge was washed away in Storm Desmond 2015. Climbing up onto the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. On the east ridge . Some easy scrambling. Nearing the top. Good views despite the cloud. The sun trying to break through as we reach the summit. Heading for Blencathra. Susan battles into a strong wind. Looking to Thirlmere from a very windy summit. Looking to Derwent Water. On the descent. Dropping down to Scales Tarn to try and get out o...
Read more