Glas Tulaichean - Green-grey hillocks - 1051m, (Munro) & Carn an Righ- Hill of the King - 1029m, (Munro)
The Spittal of Glenshee lies at the head of Glenshee in the highlands of eastern Perth and Kinross, where the confluence of many small streams flowing south out of the Grampians form the Shee Water. The name 'Spittal' originated from the Latin word 'hospitium' meaning 'Apartment for Strangers', or from the Gaelic 'spiddeal' which means 'where the glens meet'. Four glens meet at the 'Spittal'; Glenshee, Glenbeag, Glen Lochsie, Glen Taitneach.
We were in the area for a wedding and decided to head up a little early so that we had time to climb a few hills. We were staying in the wonderful Carriages cottage, (more mansion than cottage really), behind Dalmunzie Castle, which was the perfect starting point for these two Munro's. We were joined by the lovely Zoe and Steve and had the most amazing walk - lovely weather, lovely scenery and plenty of curious sightings.........
So we started the walk from the cottage and headed out following a path northwest by the river. This roughly follows the line of an old railway which was built to bring down stone for extensions to Dalmunzie Castle in 1921. Information and photos can be found in the castle itself. The line remained in use for sporting guests up until the 1970s and there are still some old concrete sleepers along the way as well as bridges over two substantial streams coming down the hillside
After an old railway bridge we then headed straight up the ascend NNW to the summit of Creag Bhreac. This was a fair old slog and a tough start to the walk as it was straight up through knee deep heather - a good old scramble required. At the summit we then continued on ridge NW to the summit of Glas Tuliachan.
J at the summit of Glas Tuliachan. Really amazing views. On the east and south side a series of ridges radiate out from the summit, whilst the north western side drops steeply down into Gleann Mòr. On the east side three pronounced ridges enclose two corries, Glas Choire Bheag and Glas Choire Mhor, which drop into Gleann Taitneach. The southern slopes are less steep with grassy ridges descending into Glen Lochsie
B. at summit No 1. We had our sandwiches at the top but even on such a stunning day it started to get pretty chilly sitting still so we then started our descent NW.
We could see no real path down - so just picked a line for the path at the bottom and headed for it. Lots of peat bogs to be negotiated. On meeting the path we headed west, before leaving the path and ascending up to summit of Carn an Righ.
Summit No.2! Really wonderful views and someone had left their binoculars at the top of this one so we used them to spot deer on the way down, (If anyone would like to claim the binoculars please do so!).
J. at summit No.2.
We retraced our steps to the bealach and along the stalkers path below Mam nan Carn. This gradually petered out so we then headed to the right of Loch nan Eun. From here there is a good view down the length of Gleann Taitneach, the route of descent.
We got a little confused at this point and headed up another hill just for the hell of it when we really should have stuck to the left of the stream and followed it down the valley.
Heading down the valley by the stream we passed some spectacular little waterfalls.
We were then buzzed by a Hercules (well maybe not quite buzzed, but it flew so low over us I expected them to land). Eventually the path gave way to a bulldozed track, this fords the Allt Elrig stream to continue down the glen leading back towards Dalmunzie castle. We made it back to the cottage after getting ever-so-slightly lost, crossing a river in three places and passing through a field of bemused cows.....Home to put our feet up and drink copious amounts of gin and borage - a truly restorative tonic.... all good preparation for the wedding later that weekend!
Curious sightings:
a million deer (several herds)
half a million frogs, (various sizes)
2 grouse
a kite (hovering and diving)
a caterpillar, (hairy, black with green spots)
a Hercules, (transport plane - very low, very slow, enormous!)
Finds:
One pair of purple gloves
A pair of Panavision sporty zoom binoculars
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