Carn Glas-choire
21 October 2007
The start of this walk was the B9007 Duthil to Forres Road
approximately one kilometre north of its junction with the A938
Carrbridge to Grantown on Spey Road. A wooden gate on the west side
of the road says 'Cawdor Estate - Private Grouse Moor', which
interested me as I am not aware of a public grouse moor, well not in
Scotland. There are no parking facilities at this location.
I went through the gate and followed the vehicle track to Auchterteang
Cottage. The track continued through what was the old farm buildings
but I was unable to proceed as it was fenced off and two unfriendly
dogs were running about barking and one was growling. I'm not a great
lover of dogs I don't know so I walked round the property pursued by
these dogs until I came across a fence topped by barbed wire. I had
no option but cross this fence and rejoin the track. Someone was
aware of my presence as a vehicle passed me just before I arrived at
the Cottage and I also saw the front door close without any attempt
made to control the dogs.
Once beyond the Cottage I made good progress across the vast track of
grouse moor, although I saw only a few grouse. After a 'shooter's hut'
the gradient increased and I followed it to its end which was just
below the bealach east of Carn Glas-choire, which is slightly further
than the map showed.
I climbed to the bealach over some peat hags and here saw some deer
and mountain hares. The hares were starting to get their winter coat
as they were starting to turn white. The climb to the summit trig
point of Carn Glas-choire was rather awkward underfoot as it was very
mossy. The moss was very wet and like a sponge with poor grip so I was
sliding about. Eventually I reached the summit with hazy views of
the Cairngorms, the tops of which were cloud covered and out to the
Moray Firth.
The plan was to walk east along the ridge and take in the rocky summit
of Creag na h-lolaire and rejoin the track beyond the shooter's hut.
However this plan was abandoned as the area was a mass of peat hags
and slippery moss so I returned to the B9007 by my route of ascent.
My only concern was the dogs at Auchterteang Cottage but as I climbed
the fence and walked round the property there was no sign of the dogs
so my apprehension was unfounded.
The enjoyment of the walk was spoilt by the dogs so on my return home
I e-mailed Cawdor Estate but to date they have not seen fit to reply.
I don't want to walk through farm outbuildings so I have no objection
to the area being fenced off. My complaint is the alternative route
round the buildings involved clambering over a barbed wire fence.
All it requires is a small gate and some signage and in my opinion the
Estate would then be conforming with the Land Reform Scotland Act,
2003.
Time taken - 3 hours.
Distance - 13 kilometres.
Height climbed - 460 metres.
Photographs taken on walk can be seen at:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery07/carn_glas-choire_oct07/index.htm
Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com