📌 Braemar, Aberdeenshire
★★★
Creag nan Gabhar is a dwarf amongst giants in this part of the Cairngorms, but its position above Glen Clunie makes it an ideal vantage point from which to get to grips with the layout of most of the major hill groups in the area. Combining it with a visit to Loch Callater and its beautifully situated bothy creates a perfect circuit, with incredible numbers of grouse on our visit. This is one of the easier Corbett ascents thanks to the high level start and good tracks – albeit with a short pathless section after the summit.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Start of the track through Glen Callater 
Glen Callater 
Glen Callater 
Morrone from Sròn Dubh 
View down Glen Clunie to Braemar 
Glen Callater 
Glen Clunie from Sròn nan Gabhar, Ben Avon beyond 
Lochnagar (left) & Loch Callater coming into view 
Creag nan Gabhar summit 
Distant Braeriach range 
Descent to Loch Callater 
Waterfall on the Allt a’ Bhealaich Bhuidhe 
Glen Callater from the descent 
Loch Callater 
Loch Callater 
Callater Burn where it leaves the loch 
Lochcallater Lodge
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish immediately south of Auchallater Farm, A93 2 mi south of Braemar
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 156882
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.977327,-3.389985
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park (monetary “contribution”)
📝 Key info
▶ 15 km / 9 mi | ▲ 480 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr
Features: △ Creag nan Gabhar (834 m, Corbett); 💧 Loch Callater
⬤ Moderate | Good tracks and wide paths to summit area, then pathless to bealach to southeast. Short section of track then faint path (hard to spot) to loch, then excellent track for return along the glen.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Sron Dubh – Sron nan Gabhar – Creag nan Gabhar – track near Moine Bhealaich Bhuidhe – Lochcallater Lodge – start via Glen Callater, eventually rejoining outward route.
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Hundreds of grouse (really!), horses by the lodge, sheep.
Weather: Sunny and warm for the time of year, but wind being funnelled though the glen.
November 2015
