Walk report – West Drumochter, 16th February 2025

This was another occasion when the weather forecast had been for far worse conditions than the walkers actually experienced. Twenty-two members with one guest headed up the A9 on a JP Coaches bus, sixteen were dropped off at Bruar and the other seven, the A/B party, continued on to Balsporran Cottages to the start of their wintery route.

The A/B party left the bus and having passed Balsporran Cottages, headed for Coire Ffar where they headed SW, following the Allt Coire Ffar until reaching the bealach between Beinn Udlamain and Gael Charn to the north, their target peak.

Walking mainly in mist, the conditions underfoot varied from soft to hard snow and ice. The party headed north along the ridge until reaching the summit, a Munro, at 917mtrs. There were occasional glimpses of the sun along the route and the party spotted ptarmigan and mountain hares both in full winter raiments.

The group returned to the start by following what was normally the upward route to Gael Charn, they experienced the cold wind but not the forecasted precipitation.

The waiting coach took them to Blair Atholl and the Bothy Bar at the Atholl Hotel where there was a welcoming roaring fire and refreshments. Unusually they were the first group to arrive there. The C and C+ parties arrived sometime later.

Both these groups started at Bruar and followed the path east along the River Bruar and its famous waterfalls and pools. Where there are normally crowds of tourists in the summer months, the walkers had the path pretty much to themselves.

The C+ group of eleven walkers followed the path for 3 1/2Kms through the plantation until reaching open ground and the path through Glen Banvie and its tumbling burn, after visiting the Whim Folly they walked NE through Blairuachder Wood to Glen Tilt and its path S to Blair Atholl and refreshments. A golden eagle sighting along the way was an added bonus for the group.

The C party headed E from the Falls of Bruar until reaching the Balvie Burn, then turning N to view the folly and its views down to Blair Castle. From there the five walkers followed the path to the castle then along its long drive to the village and the Bothy Bar.

C+