I headed out to Braemar during the week for a Mar Lodge event – an outdoor industries get-together for people and companies that traverse the estate during their activities. There were all sorts – from experienced tourist guides, other neighbouring estate staff, air B’n’B owners, to freshly qualified mountain leaders. I was there on behalf of the club whose hut lies within the estate.

The first part of the event was some indoor presentations from estate staff on their day-to-day activities and how the general public interact and can impact conservation objectives, and the club got a mention for its journal and the historic information it provides. We finished off with a chance to chat amongst participants and I could have done this for hours as there were lots of interesting people and perspectives, but we next split into groups to head out for a walk.

We spent and hour or so having a short wander and despite the route being very well known territory to me, learned a few new thing from the experts.

I stayed overnight at the hut, and although I had the offer of a lift back to Braemar, decided that the bright day and peak autumn glow, deserved a day spent touring back slowly and soaking up the scenery.

I started off on the old path east of the Quoich passing some rock riffles and waterfalls, then intended climbed up to join the new path higher up further on to get a better overview of the glen. An extremely pleasant place to be any time of the year, but particularly in autumn.

There’s another big waterfall beyond this one, but the river and new path here are close together but soon begin to diverge, so I backtracked a bit and headed up a dry streamlet to reach the upper path.

I crossed the river at the upper footbridge to climb up the landrover track, then thrunged uphill a bit to see if I could get a good “autumn meets snow-capped peaks” shot – once heading higher up there’d be no trees – but not quite enough snow or direct sun, and I noted there was a better position probably half a mile north and up, but had to crack on so headed back down to the river. Anyway, as a snow lover it’s always nice getting the first sight of snow peaks heading towards winter.

The clouds had been steadily drifting in and by the time I got up on Carn na Drochaide’s 817 metres, things were looking ominous to the north but it contrasted with the snow on Beinn a Bhuird nicely. There’s always a “wow” moment when the first snows of the season appear, and you have been in a world of browns and grey to get a bright splash of white, and the proximity of Bhuird and Avon’s wild tops enhanced that moment.

The wind whistled past and whether it was the windchill or just the psychology of the snow vista, I had to rummage in the pack for gloves as the hands began to tingle.

Carn na Drochaide itself was almost entirely clear of snow, but a lee patch got the first snowprint, if too soft and small to do an early glissade.

Heading over the east side of the hill, it was a shame the sun was now away as the view of Braemar and down the Dee was great. The village looked so close – but I’d have to head all the way to Invercauld to cross the Dee and then back. On a hot summer day one could be tempted to ford the river, but not today.

I followed a few deer paths into the woods, then a thrash through some mossy forest strewn with storm debris had me back on a proper track.

Normally my day would end here, but I’d booked an Ember bus from Braemar (they only have a few designated stops so can’t jump on at Keiloch) so still 5 or 6km to go.

Across the Dee, it was time to check out the new path that was installed a year or so back and runs along the main road. It winds pleasantly through the woods before climbing up across open moor towards the Lion’s Face and re-entering the wood. Two cyclists heading along the busy road noticed me on the path, they didn’t know it existed and were happy for me to help them across on to it and get some respite from fast traffic. At a fork, I kept high figuring to forgo a view of the castle but maybe see some more of the mountain tops.

In the woods beside Creag Choinnich, looking uphill I could see a faint deer path up to a small rocky outcrop, and I decided to go up for a nosey. Tucked away out of sight were ruined rough structures, some bouldery walls and rusted corrugated iron and some tumbledown wooden fencing. I’m not sure whether this had some working function or whether it’s a very extensive den for kids from nearby Braemar.

Padding back through mossy glades lower down, I found both chanterelles and hedgehog mushrooms peeping through the deep carpet of moss.

Entering Braemar I was up to 27km so quite a long day out but worth it to see the snow-capped highs and autumnal glens. One of the great things with the Ember bus service is it has a live tracking feature that is truly accurate – I had enough time for a tin of fizzy pop from the shop, but not quite for a pint.