Creag nan Gabhar

Creag nan Gabhar stands on the high moorland between Braemar and Montrose in the Grampian Mountains of Aberdeenshire. The mountain’s summit is marked by a small cairn, a simple pile of stones left by walkers. It sits on the old drove road that once carried cattle from the Highlands to the markets of the east coast. The landscape around it is wide and open, with heather moor and rough grass stretching away in every direction. On clear days the view takes in the Cairngorms to the west and the North Sea to the east. The mountain is reached by a straightforward walk from the Linn of Dee car park. The peak is recognised as a Marilyn, a Corbett and a HuMP, terms used by hill-walkers to describe its height and prominence. Marilyns are hills with a drop of at least 150 metres on all sides, while Corbetts are Scottish hills between 2,500 and 3,000 feet. HuMPs are hills that just exceed 100 metres of relative height. These classifications attract walkers who enjoy collecting summits and checking their progress against official lists. The mountain’s modest height and clear path make it a good choice for those new to hill-walking. At the top visitors find the cairn and a sense of space that fills the horizon. The wind often blows strongly across the open plateau, so the summit is best enjoyed on still days. The route up follows a gentle climb beside the Allt a’ Ghlinne Bhig burn, passing through patches of bog and heather. Lower down, the landscape changes to pine and birch woodland near the Linn of Dee. The contrast between the wild summit and the sheltered glen below makes the walk memorable.