Main Walk, 10 miles (16 km), walk duration 6 hrs with stops

This walk takes us to the infrequently climbed long ridge running down from Glas Tulaichean to Glen Shee. We start at the Dalmunzie Hotel (091713) from where we follow an old railway (or the parallel landie track) NW to the ruin of Glenlochsie Lodge. Just passed the ruin, we climb steeply SW to Meall Ruigh Mor Thearlaich (053720), from where the ridge is followed SE over Meall a’Choire Bhuidhe and Larig Charnach to Ben Earb (079692). (Despite their height, none of these hill are Corbetts because there is insufficient drop from Glas Tulaichean some 12km away.) From Ben Earb we continue SE, crossing the Glenshee to Enochdhu path at An Lairig before the final ascent to Meall Uaine (111675). We then head due N to the pub (and the bus) at Spittal of Glenshee (110699).

For the train spotters amongst you, the Dalmunzie Railway used to run from Dalmunzie which is now a hotel, to the Glen Lochsie Shooting Lodge, gaining over 400 feet in height over an approximate distance of 2.5 miles. This track was built by Sir Archibald Birkmyre in the early 1920's for the sole purpose of transporting grouse shooting parties in August. This was in the days when the Empire was still at its height with people making vast fortunes and competing with one another for ways of spending it on ostentatious projects, and this must have been one of the more outrageous ones.

The railway was narrow gauge with a light engine drawing a string of miniature carriages complete with miniature freight wagons for all the food, drink, guns, ammunition and all the other paraphenalia required for a grouse shooting party of that era. The engine was powered by two petrol engines brought back from the First World War trenches. The Head Keeper leading a garron (Highland pony) and holding a red flag, walked in front of the engine, so the whole affair was done at a very leisurely pace of some two miles per hour. Altitude was achieved with a series of forward and reversing manoeuvres through sets of points up the hillside in a zigzag fashion. When the railway reached the lodge the passengers would alight, the more sprightly ones proceeding on foot and the older ones being transported on garrons up to the shooting butts for the day's sport to commence. The rail track was in full working order until the 1970's when new Government legislation was introduced bringing all private railways under the auspices and control of British Railways. The landowner at that time was informed by BR that he would have to upgrade and improvethe railway to meet the new regulations. This was going to cost at that time some £60,000. The landowner did not see the point of spending this kind of money on such a toy and decided to uplift the rails which were subsequently sold as scrap. Fortunately the engine and carriages were retained and are in storage at Dalmunzie House at present. The route of the old rail track is still very apparent and can be walked the entire distance and there has been some talk of reinstating, if not all, then perhaps part of it as a tourist attraction.

Alternative Walk

The walk can be shortened after Ben Earb, by heading NW from An Lairig following the Cateran Trail descending to the Spital, without climbing the final summit of Meall Uaine.

Glenlochsie Lodge

Ben Earb

An Lairig