20th August 2023 : Carn an t-Sagairt Mor – Day Meet

Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (Munro)
OS Landranger Maps 43 (Braemar & Blair Atholl)
44 (Ballater & Glen Clova)
Park at Auchallater NO156882 (Charge £3)

Distance from Stonehaven to parking at Auchallater, 56 miles (approx 1hr 30min)

Carn an t-Sagairt Mor is one of the White Mounth Munros often ascended as part of a very long day taking in all six of these peaks. It is a great viewpoint for the surrounding hills of Lochnagar, Glen Clunie and Glenshee. Carn an t-Sagairt Mor also has one of Scotland’s most iconic air crash sites where the remains of a Canberra bomber can be seen scattered over the summit, including all 3 of the bomber’s wheels.*

This walk starts at Auchallater car park at NO156882 and takes the track following the Callater Burn to Lochcallater Lodge where a break can be taken at the well maintained bothy. Backtracking 50m take the path at NO177844 leading steeply NE and then more gently SW to pass under Creag an Loch and then NE again to reach the col between this latter peak and Carn t-Sagairt Mor. Carry on this path heading SW to NO205841 and then leave it at about 970m to ascend NE to the summit at 1047m. Descend back to the lower path again, cross over it and head directly down to the head of Loch Callater at NO190834 on steepish slopes. Loch Callater is the highest loch in the UK with a population of pike. Take the path on the N side of the loch to return to Loch Callater Lodge and then back down the track to Auchallater. There are many alternative variations to this route. (Total Distance: 18km; 700m).

*On the 22nd November 1956 a Canberra aircraft of 35 Squadron RAF was flying on a training mission from RAF Upwood in Cambridgeshire to RAF Kinloss. At 1921 the aircraft overflew Kinloss runway and set course for its return to Upwood. Witnesses in Braemar heard a jet pass at an unusually low altitude and a few minutes later a flash was seen as the aircraft hit the mountain; it was a clear night with only some scattered clouds. A Court of Enquiry was unable to determine the cause of the accident