Monday 29th August 2016
Carn Liath (975m), Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (1070m) – 2 Munros
It took about an hour to get from Dalmunzie to Monzie near Blair Atholl for the start of today’s walk. We all (Alison and I along with John, Marina, Andrei and Maxim) made the steep ascent of Carn Liath. Andrei reached the top long before the rest of us; Maxim and I were next, him talking constantly the whole way up the steep section – mostly about how to kill zombies – but he also mentioned that he hadn’t been to many parties since he is only six years old, and that because he had eaten lots and lots when he was 5 it hadn’t taken him very long to become 6. After a brief rest Alison, Andrei and I carried on along a very attractive ridge to the next summit. The Walk Highlands route carries on to Carn Nan Gabhar, but as this involves an additional 6km and 250m of ascent we didn’t intend to do this. Instead we returned to the beleach between the two summits and skirted the east flank of Carn Liath to return to the car park at Loch Moraig.
Wildlife seen Red Grouse 10, Red Deer 30, Hen Harrier, Merlin.
Distance: 16km, Ascent: 1000m
Wildlife seen Red Grouse 10, Red Deer 30, Hen Harrier, Merlin.
Distance: 16km, Ascent: 1000m
Click on first image to enlarge and show caption, then right arrow to scroll through images in the gallery below.
Tuesday 30th August
Alison and I enjoyed a mostly scenic 2 hour drive via Glenshee, Braemar and Ballater to Blackdog, ~4 miles north of Aberdeen. Here we were searching for American White-winged Scoter amongst the thousands of Common Scoter loafing, diving and generally splashing about on the water off the beautiful isolated sandy beaches. We were unsuccessful with our main quarry but did get our fist self-found Surf Scoter and year-ticked Arctic Skua.
Alison and I enjoyed a mostly scenic 2 hour drive via Glenshee, Braemar and Ballater to Blackdog, ~4 miles north of Aberdeen. Here we were searching for American White-winged Scoter amongst the thousands of Common Scoter loafing, diving and generally splashing about on the water off the beautiful isolated sandy beaches. We were unsuccessful with our main quarry but did get our fist self-found Surf Scoter and year-ticked Arctic Skua.