Heavy Rain, High Winds, and Huge Milestones: A Challenging Day at Loch Muick
The day started with a beautiful deception. Leaving Aberdeen under blue skies and minimal wind, nineteen walkers were feeling unusually optimistic. Could the grim weather reports actually be wrong for once?
Optimism is a wonderful thing, but the Scottish hills always have the final say.
By the time we hit Ballater for a quick comfort stop, those familiar grey clouds were rolling in. “Maybe just a passing shower,” we told ourselves.
We were spectacularly wrong.
One Glen, Five Different Journeys
Loch Muick and the surrounding Mounth hills offer incredible variety, which was perfect for our group since everyone had different goals for the day. Once the bus parked up, we split into five distinct contingents:
The Lochnagar Crew (5 walkers): Heading for the iconic, towering peaks.
The Capel Mounth Circuit (7 walkers): Taking on the classic circular route.
The Broad Cairn Duo (2 walkers): Tackling the mountain via the infamous zigzag path.
The Loch Muick Loop (4 walkers): Sticking low for a scenic circuit around the water.
The Bus Sanctuary (1 walker): Wisely deciding that the cozy bus was the place to be!
Into the Clag: Bagging Munros in a Gale
For those heading up into the high hills above the loch, any memory of Aberdeen’s blue skies vanished instantly. The weather was simply not our friend. Walkers were greeted by howling winds and driving, horizontal rain that stung the face and had more than a few people questioning their life choices!
But true hillwalkers are a stubborn bunch, and the tough conditions only made the achievements sweeter.
Of the five who climbed Lochnagar, three were doing it for the very first time. Even more impressive, two of them bagged their very first Munro in absolutely brutal conditions. A massive, heartfelt congratulations ❤️ You certainly earned that first badge of honor.
On the descent, six walkers opted for the route down by Meikle Pap, while one brave soul chose to complete the circuit by dropping down past the dramatic Glas-allt-Shiel waterfall.
Seeking Shelter at Sandy’s Stables
Over on the other side of the glen, the rest of the hill groups didn’t fare much better. It was a classic “head down, hood up, and get on with it” kind of day.
The only real shelter to be found on the high trails was at Sandy’s Stables. It was here that our two Broad Cairn walkers crossed paths with another group coming down. The report from the top? “Challenging, to say the least.”
That turned out to be an understatement. Strong, buffeting winds and heavy clag (thick, low cloud) made navigation and movement slow going. But determination won the day, and they managed a difficult but manageable hike to the summit
Music in the Bothy and a Velvet Welcome
Down at water level, the Loch Muick loop walkers escaped the worst of the brutal ridge winds, but they couldn’t dodge the heavy, relentless showers.
However, the trail rewards you in unexpected ways. Ducking into the Glas-allt-Shiel bothy to escape a downpour, the group walked right into an impromptu live performance. A few other hikers had brought along guitars, turning a damp lunch break into a cozy, atmospheric acoustic session in the wilds.
There is nothing quite like the camaraderie of a Scottish bothy when the weather goes south.
By 6:30 PM, all nineteen walkers were back at the bus, soggy but safe. The hills had one last treat for us: a herd of young deer grazing near the car park, their growing antlers still covered in soft velvet.
Heading Home
A post-walk pub stop is usually a tradition, but after such a physically demanding, draining, and ultimately rewarding day in the hills, everyone was ready for dry clothes and their own couch. Our driver, Kyle, got us wheels-up immediately and had the whole tired, happy crew back in Aberdeen by 8:00 PM.
It was a tough shift in the mountains, but with new Munros bagged, new friendships forged, and a great story to tell, it’s safe to say nobody regretted stepping off the bus.
Until the next walk—hopefully with a bit less horizontal rain!
Paul