📌 Spittal of Glenshee, Perth & Kinross
★★★
Heather-clad Ben Gulabin (Hill of the curlew) seems to loom large above the main road as you drive past the Spittal of Glenshee. Actually, at 806 metres above sea level it’s a mere cub in comparison to the main bulk of the Cairngorms just to the north. A high start point on the approach to the Cairnwell Pass and good tracks almost to the summit make its ascent a straightforward, half-day walk in good conditions, though when blanketed in white it’s a more serious affair. Detour to the lower, eastern summit for the best views, and look out for wildlife throughout; large numbers of grouse, red deer and mountain hare on our chilly trip made for an entertaining outing.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Gleann Beag from the first part of the track 
Track ascent 
View up Gleann Beag towards Glenshee Ski Centre 
Red deer by the old ski lift pylon on Creagan Bheithe 
Zoomed shot 
View across Gleann Beag as the track bends west 
Direct ascent from the 600m contour 
Red grouse 
Looking back from near the summit plateau 
Spindrift 
Grouse feather 
View north from the east top 
View south from the east top 
Mountain hare in mixed summer / winter pelage 
Looking across to the higher west summit from the east top 
Ben Gulabin (west) summit
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at track junction on A93 1 mi north of Spittal of Glenshee
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 114714
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.825642,-3.452560
🚌 Extremely infrequent bus to Spittal of Glenshee (1 mi)
🚗 Verge parking – don’t block access
📝 Key info
▶ 6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 450 m | ⌛ 2.5-3 hr
Features: △ Ben Gulabin (806 m, Corbett)
⬤⬤ Moderate to Tough | Good track to Gulabin Hut, then a steeper and slightly rougher one to near the top. Summit area has paths in places.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk with extensions to two tops: start – track junction near (destroyed) Gulabin Hut – Ben Gulabin plateau between east & west tops – east top – west (higher) top – return to start by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Scores of red deer on Creagan Bheithe, hundreds of grouse, several mountain hare, various other tracks in the snow. Several birds of prey on the drive through Glen Shee.
Weather: Often sunny with occasional snow flurries. Snow cover at all levels: windblown powder, ranging from a dusting in places to deep drifts. Strong wind at times high up with spindrift. Just above freezing at the base, a few degrees below at the top.
November 2017
