The plan was to climb Carn a’ Ghille Chearr, the northerly of the two Grahams on the Hills of Cromdale, from the east. I drove north on the B9136 Bridge of Avon to Glenlivet Road, through Strath Avon, to the junction with the unclassified road to Balnalon. Here I crossed the bridge over the River Avon and parked in the small snow covered car park at the north-west side of the bridge.
Once geared up we walked north along an ice covered track, a Right of Way to Cromdale, soon leaving it and the River Avon to head for Knock Farm where the walking was easier as some of the snow had melted.
On reaching the farm it appeared work was underway to repair this derelict building as some new windows had been installed.
The Right of Way continued between the house and dilapidated farm buildings, passed a small woodland and pond, across the Knock Burn, to a gate that led to the open hillside and the snow filled vehicle track. Progress was rather slow due to the soft snow and at times it was easier to walk on the exposed heather at the sides of the track.
Prior to re-crossing the Knock Burn we left it and climbed north-west through more soft snow and heather. It had been a rather pleasant sunny morning but as height was gained it became rather windy and cold. There were lots of mountain hares around but there was little chance of getting close to them as we had a dog with us.
On gaining the ridge south of Carn Eachie we crossed this knoll and made our way to the summit of Carn a’ Ghille Chearr. There was evidence of deer in the area but we never spotted them although the dog got rather excited.
The summit trig point was reached then we visited the viewpoint cairn to the east for better views of Strath Avon.
It was too cold and windy to hang around so we returned to Carn Eachie as a quad vehicle headed towards Carn a’ Ghille Chearr. From Carn Eighe we descended more directly to the Knock Burn then returned to the start by the approach route.
- Time taken – 5 hours.
- Distance – 11.5 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 540 metres.