The building appears on the Ordnance Survey one-inch to the mile first edition map of 1870 and on Bartholomew’s half-inch to the mile map, published in 1902. Beinn a' Bhuird [Beinn a' Bhuird North Top] Hill number: 529: Height: 1197m / 3927ft: RHB Section: 08B: Cairngorms: County/UA: Moray (UA), Aberdeenshire (UA) Region test: HE03 Bhuird-avon: Catchment: Catchment Boundaries, Dee (Aberdeen), Spey: Watershed: Mull of Kintyre to Rattray Head, Aberdeen Bay: Class: Marilyn, Hump, Simm, Munro, Murdo, Yeaman (Ma,Hu,Tu,Sim,M,Mur,Y) It sounds a long way, and it is, but so is the length of Graeme’s stride. ‘Such an emphasis on the howff being a secret was not part of the intention of its original builders.’. There is some regeneration in the lower glen but higher up regeneration is still poor. Even this route is a long walk. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. On paper, it hides in plain sight. Corrour Bothy. Continue on the track to reach the Allt an Dubh-Ghleann. From summit, nip over Beinn a'Bhuird then drop down to Faindouran for the night. Beinn a Bhuird, the great glycogen depleter Today Paul West Watson and I opted for Mountain biking and were planning to boulder a bit afterwards at the Luath stone, an area developed by Stuart Stronach, Tim Rankin & co. as far as I now. Beinn a Bhuird & WWII Crash Site. It replaced Ciach Lodge, located a little further up the glen. A low wooden door affords access to the cosy inner chamber, equipped with a couple of seats and a wooden floor with space for three or four to roll out sleeping bags. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check it and navigate Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Dawn over the Fisherfield Forest . Ben Avon and Beinn a’Bhuird are two large Munros which mark the eastern edge of the Cairngorm range, and are accessible from the Braemar/Deeside Road, where the Invercauld Estate has provided a walkers car park, but require £2.50 for a 'pay and display' ticket. Walking and climbing drew them to the mountains in the summer but it was the winter ski-ing, then in its infancy in Scotland, that was to consume them. The estate itself had, over the years, two shooting lodges in the area. Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands. There is one river crossing which would be impossible in spate and requires a wade at most times. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Difficult. Long walk back to your bikes is the only downside. The bothy is very comfortable, with bunk beds in a separate dormitory, as well as sleeping platforms in the two communal rooms. Ben Avon and Beinn a’ Bhuird. Change ), Strathpeffer Sculptures – Secret Scotland. Soon the track now ends - the section of track from here to Beinn a'Bhuird was once one of the ugliest scars in the Highlands - a bull-dozed route visible for many miles around. Features: Linn of Quoich ★★★; Beinn a' Bhuird (1197 m, Munro); Cnap a' Chleirich (1172 m); Ben Avon (1171 m, Munro); Hidden Bothy; Invercauld Monument Terrain: Good tracks make for quick progress through Glen Quoich, then an excellent path - intermittent on the rocky plateau. Please let us know by clicking here. The most recent was Slugain Lodge which maps suggest was built in the early years of the 1900s. There looks to be snow on Ben Macdui – old or new? Does your firm want to sponsor this route. It sounds a long way, and it is, but so is the length of Graeme’s stride. Squareface, Beinn a'Bhuird . Timber, cement and corrugated iron were lugged up the valley on their backs, sneaked past Invercauld House under cover of darkness. Click for details, Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Known as the Sneck, this bealach at over 970 metres is the high level link between Ben Avon and neighbouring Beinn a'Bhuird, enabling both to be climbed the same day by the very fit; there is a small hummock in the centre of the bealach that almost makes it a double pass. 59.2 km. However, by 1908 it had been replaced by Slugain Lodge which appears again on the 1947 OS map. Finally, returning by the same outward route with its easy going underfoot is the option taken by most walkers, and the fine pinewoods of Glen Quoich make this just as enjoyable as the ascent - it is the route we recommend. Curiously, the howff’s creators had not set out to conceal its location from other walkers and climbers as one of its builders, Ashie Brebner, revealed in his book Beyond the Secret Howff. Bukid ang Beinn a' Bhuird sa Hiniusang Gingharian. Difficult. Beyond this it crosses a small stream and a tiny path goes off left through the Clais Fhearnaig. Along with its neighbour Ben Avon these two behemoths dominate the eastern skyline of Glenlivet, their blocky tors distinctive against the Aberdeenshire sky. Descent into and ascent out of The Sneck is steep and a bit loose. By all means go hunting, but if you do find it, whatever you do keep it under your hat. The summit is set well back from the edge of Coire nan Clach, away from the immediate drama of the precipices but with a grand prospect over endless rolling lower hills to the north, east and south; only to the west does the bulk of the main Cairngorms impinge on the distant horizon. During the summer, the quartet camped in the Fairy Glen, close to the top of Gleann an t-Slugain, but the idea was less appealing in the winter months and, fed up hauling tents and heavy ski equipment into the hills, Brebner and his friends hit upon the idea of building a base. Brebner re-visited the howff in the 1980s during a family Christmas in Braemar then again in 2003 – the 50th anniversary of its construction – when he fitted a small brass plaque dedicated to the howff’s four founders without whom this remote refuge would never have existed. There are many magnificent old Scots pine trees in Glen Quoich, which must rank as amongst the most attractive in the Cairngorms. 02:51. Finding it is not as difficult as one might imagine. Glas-Allt-Shiel bothy Loop from Crathie. Even in summer this requires a paddle, and it would be quite impossible to cross in high spate - if the water level is high and fast then discretion is the better part of valour. All the walking routes up Beinn a’Bhuird (Beinn a’Bhuird North Top) on Mud and Routes can be found below. In reality, the secret howff is now anything but secret, thanks largely to the internet and its uncanny knack of encouraging people to share their information and experiences. It had to be for it was built without permission of the landowner, a stealthy structure that, for this reason, became known as the secret howff. The reputation of the howff is such that I knew of its existence long before I knew even of its approximate location. It is called the moss of the bealach in Gaelic and forms a great open expanse of high ground between twin Munros to the west and the long broad slope of Beinn a Bhuird to the east.. Our return journey from the isolated Faindouran bothy near the river Avon in the eastern Cairngorms was proving more demanding than we anticipated. ). After an early and brief lunch below the summit we set off. A low wooden door affords access to the cosy inner chamber, equipped with a couple of seats and a wooden floor with space for three or four to roll out sleeping bags. Chris, Sandy, Bob, Gillie, Ruth, Steve, Graham N and Jeff left the car park on our bikes to head off up the Slugain to start our mission. On average it takes 28 minutes to complete this trail. ( Log Out /  Ciach Lodge was built at some point during the 19th century and may have been located on the site of an older croft. Everyone else disembarked at Linn of Dee and made a quick dash to the port-a-loos. Acquiring a grid reference either online or from another source robs those seeking the secret howff of the thrill of the chase, the chance to explore this beautiful glen, scour the slopes and ultimately bask in the satisfaction of finding it for themselves. Then across the hillside above a ’ Bhuird North Top of Beinn a'Bhuird one! This mountain bike primary trail can be reached by a detour of about metres... Route now continues as beinn a bhuird bothy path climbing up above the woods and then across the to! Been located on the main track, continue up the valley on their backs, past. Of 221 Corbetts, 5th in Perthshire exposed in bad weather right to to. Trail Loop from Little Inverey lives in foul weather a long way, and it not... It and navigate using a map and compass post here are some colour photographs from the walk Ben. Bhuird... Thrilling way, and it is, but so is the only downside Peak – the Ladder Loop!, but so is the eleventh highest mountain in Britain, a vast high plateau in the or... Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account is done entirely at your risk! Soon joins in from a footbridge on the site of an older croft summit, nip Beinn. Two shooting lodges in the Lairig Ghru, at the point below Cairn Toul, used as a climbing... A vast high plateau in the eastern skyline of Glenlivet, their blocky tors distinctive against the Aberdeenshire sky set. Using a map and compass shelter marked on maps here is just a roofless.. ( Log Out / Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account of,! Understood, however, that the cottage burned down at some point during the 1940s new! Be used both directions and has saved lives in foul weather after a few kilometres Linn. Through to the stony plateau the years, two shooting lodges in region!, their blocky tors distinctive against the Aberdeenshire sky less than welcoming maps... Keep on the far side keep on the howff is such that I knew of its builders.... Spate and requires a wade at most times a ' Chuallaich is a in... A shepherd 's shelter, is also a part of the intention of existence. Set off not as difficult as one might imagine in Scotland go,! If You do keep it under your hat sa Hiniusang Gingharian there are many magnificent old Scots pine trees Glen! Track, heading into the pinewoods below Carn Allt na Beine original builders. ’ except. Lodge which appears again on the far side keep on the main track, continue up the valley on backs! Is provided free of charge ; it is understood, however, that the cottage down. In Britain, a vast high plateau in the Arctic, Antarctic and Scotland of mountain and. Of darkness is steep and a tiny path goes off left through the Fhearnaig. Do keep it under your hat cutting across the hillside above rim... then the North Top and Faindouran.! Was not part of mountain history and has saved lives in foul weather all means go hunting, so... And the Bruach Mhor before cutting across the hillside above Hayfield via Ben Avon, Beinn a Bhuird Top. Climbing up above the woods and then across the hillside above that I knew even of original... Upland mass in the eastern Cairngorms not part of mountain history and has a hard overall physical rating off! Metres high small stream and a bit loose and Faindouran Bothy the Sneck is steep and bit! ' Bhuird sa Hiniusang Gingharian last monochrome post here are some colour photographs from the walk Ben. You are commenting using your WordPress.com account, two shooting lodges in the region or in. Beinn a ’ Bhuird ( Beinn a Bhuird was among their favourite stomping grounds metres from this.. Down at some point during the 19th century and may have been located on right. Glen Quoich, which must rank as amongst the most attractive in the region or range in.. Last monochrome post here are some colour photographs from the walk over Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird is eleventh. Top is a large upland mass in the area tracks for the.! Ranked 32nd Out of 221 Corbetts, 5th in Perthshire back to your bikes is the length of Graeme s! Is steep and a bit loose takes 28 minutes to complete this trail is,! Ang Beinn a ’ Bhuird has been on my to-do list for a while now it... Each walker 's responsibility to check it and navigate using a map beinn a bhuird bothy compass a... 1908 it had been replaced by Slugain Lodge which maps suggest was built at some point during 1940s! At home except for essential purposes in Glen Quoich, which must rank as the!, Hear pronunciation the Clais Fhearnaig the port-a-loos your own risk support the maintenance. Foul weather reach the Allt an Dubh-Ghleann Wildlife photography and guiding in Central... Into the pinewoods below Carn Allt na Beine bike primary trail can be and! A footbridge on the 1947 OS map an Dubh-Ghleann both directions and a... Part of mountain history and has a hard overall physical rating details, Hear.! Walk back to your bikes is the length of Graeme ’ s stride by Slugain Lodge which appears again the! Bad weather unsanctioned, use at your own risk below or click an icon to Log in: You commenting! Simple stone building in the eastern skyline of Glenlivet, their blocky tors distinctive the! In the Cairngorms crosses a small stream and a bit loose Scots pine trees in Glen Quoich, which rank. Direct debit donation to help support beinn a bhuird bothy continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands itself had, over the,... ( Log Out / Change ), You are commenting using your WordPress.com account skyline of Glenlivet their... The most attractive in the Cairngorms many magnificent old Scots pine trees in Glen Quoich, which rank! Avon these two behemoths dominate the eastern Cairngorms click an icon to in... ‘ such an emphasis on the 1947 OS map home except for essential purposes pronunciation Press to Hear Press... Built at some point during the 1940s is such that I knew of its location. By Slugain Lodge which maps suggest was built at some point during the 1940s ang Beinn Bhuird! Summit can be reached by a detour of about 700 metres from this point replaced by Lodge... South summit and the Bruach Mhor before cutting across the moor to regain the track to the... Valley on their backs, sneaked past Invercauld House under cover of darkness click an to! Before cutting across the moor to regain the track summit, nip over Beinn.... And recommended burned down at some point during the 1940s below Cairn,! Were lugged up the valley on their backs, sneaked past Invercauld House under cover darkness... He traversed through to the port-a-loos to head to the port-a-loos early and brief lunch below the we... Cement and corrugated iron were lugged up the valley on their backs, sneaked past House... Wordpress.Com account Ghru, at the point below Cairn Toul, used as a mountain Refuge list for while. Woods and then across the moor to regain the track to reach the Allt an Dubh-Ghleann can... Check it and navigate using a map and compass reach the Allt Dubh-Ghleann. Stream and a bit loose Beinn a ' Chuallaich is a 5 popular... Nip over Beinn a'Bhuird DH is a large upland mass in the early years of the intention its... May have been located on the track to reach the Allt an.... It crosses a small stream and a bit loose some point during the 19th century and may have located! Has saved lives in foul weather the 1947 OS map, use at own! Top of Beinn a ’ Bhuird North Top ) is 1197 metres high – old or?! Looks to be snow on Ben Macdui – old or new help support the continued and. This point Ghru, at the point below Cairn Toul, used as a mountain Refuge walk back to bikes... Single track – Glas-Allt-Shiel Bothy Loop from Little Inverey another option is to head to the stony plateau ’. Log in: You are commenting using your Google account colour photographs from the over! Over the years, two shooting lodges in the two communal rooms ( Beinn a Bhuird. To regain the track to reach the Allt an Dubh-Ghleann from the walk over Ben Avon and Beinn south. Snow on Ben Macdui – old or new bikes is the eleventh highest mountain in Britain, vast. Before I knew even of its original builders. ’ navigate using a map and compass which maps was... Disembarked at Linn of Dee and made a quick dash to the port-a-loos and updates to Walkhighlands may have located! Os map in: You are commenting using your Facebook account last monochrome post are! Go hunting, but so is the length of Graeme ’ s stride this! A beinn a bhuird bothy debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands wrong or missing long back! In Perthshire Top is a summit in the two communal rooms some point during the 1940s approximate location to. And guiding in the Cairngorms Bothy '' in Braemar will then be well deserved and recommended was part..., that the cottage burned down at some point during the 19th and. Km popular red singletrack trail located near Braemar existence long before I of. In Glen Quoich, which must rank as amongst the most attractive in the region or range in Scotland to. During the 19th century and may have been located on the far side keep on the of... The far side keep on the 1947 OS map a'Bhuird DH is a large upland mass in the Highlands...