📌 Easter Balmoral, Aberdeenshire
★★★
Conachcraig’s trio of rounded lumps are little visited compared to their illustrious neighbours. Their heathery summits aren’t particularly notable, but all eyes will be drawn to the magnificent views of Lochnagar from here – and also on the long approach, which is scenically more rewarding than the shorter ascent from Glen Muick. With a pathless descent to follow, you’ll really have earned that dram by the time you stagger into Royal Lochnagar Distillery, perfectly positioned at the end of the circuit.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / at Royal Lochnagar Distillery, on minor road 0.5 mi southeast of Easter Balmoral
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 268939
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.030530,-3.208022
🚌 Bus to Crathie (0.5 mi from walk route at Easter Balmoral)
🚗 Distillery car park (permission needed – taking a tour recommended!), or limited verge parking outside – don’t block access for lorries
📝 Key info
▶ 23 km / 14 mi | ▲ 700 m | ⌚ 6.5-7.5 hr
Features: 🥃 Royal Lochnagar Distillery ★★★; △ Conachcraig (865 m, Corbett); △ Caisteal na Caillich (862 m)
⬤ Tough | Good tracks for approach, then narrow path to Conachcraig’s summits. Mostly pathless heather descent via Càrn an Daimh, then clear track. Short minor road section at start / end.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start & distillery – Easter Balmoral – Dubh-chlais – track on east side of Glen Gelder – path junction at 🧭 NO 274863 – Conachcraig – Caisteal na Caillich – Càrn an Daimh – Little Craig – join track to north – track skirts east side of Tom Bad a’ Mhonaidh – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Lots of roe and red deer; sadly a dead adder on the walk out.
Weather: Temperature in low teens but felt much warmer in the strong sunshine. Still plenty of snow on higher shady aspects.
April 2014
