Walk: Meall a’ Bhuachaille – reindeer on the shepherd’s ridge

📌 Glenmore, Highland
★★★★

Set apart from other high ground, the isolated position of Meall a’ Bhuachaille (Hill of the shepherd) is one of the best viewpoints for Glenmore Forest Park and the northern Cairngorms. The broad ridge is often free of snow or cloud when full winter conditions prevail on the main Cairngorm plateau, making it an viable option when others are open only to more experienced walkers. On the outward route, An Lochan Uaine (the green lochan) indeed takes on this unusual hue (especially during sunshine, and not when it’s frozen solid!) and makes for a lovely destination in itself. Keep your eyes peeled for the local reindeer herd higher up, and red squirrels both in the forest and on the visitor centre feeders.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at Glenmore Visitor Centre, minor road 5 mi east of Aviemore

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 977098

🛰️GPS coordinates: 57.167447,-3.693679

🚌 Bus stops at visitor centre

🚗 Car park (charge)

📝 Key info

▶ 16 km / 10 mi | ▲ 990 m | ⌛ 5-6 hr

Features: 🌲 Glenmore Forest Park ★★★; 💧 An Lochan Uaine; △ Meall a’ Bhuachaille (810 m, Corbett); △ Creagan Gorm (732 m); △ Craiggowrie (687 m)

⬤ Tough | Good tracks and paths, steep on ascent of Meall a’ Bhuachaille. Rough sections before An Lochan Uaine; boggy on descent from Craiggowrie.

➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – An Lochan Uaine – Ryvoan Bothy – Meall a’ Bhuachaille – Creagan Gorm – Craigowwrie – enter forest at 🧭 NH 951131 – Badaguish Outdoor Centre – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Red squirrels outside the visitor centre (on multiple occasions).

Weather: Mostly cloudy with the odd snow flurry and brighter spell; mostly light winds, but below freezing throughout. Thick ice on the lochs, with a fresh dusting of snow higher up as well as larger patches.

February 2013