An Sgarsoch and Càrn an Fhidhleir

This is a remote hill round from Linn of Dee to Càrn an Fhidhleir (994m) and An Sgarsoch (1006m), with a long walk up Glen Geldie, an upper ridge loop and a shared return to the glen track. The published 26 miles (42km) includes the full walk-in and walk-back; allow 11–12 hours and about 1,059m of ascent. It suits experienced hillwalkers who are comfortable with a very long day, river crossings and navigation over pathless ground. A continuous path does not cross the upper moor.

From the Linn of Dee car park, leave the road before the stone bridge and follow the main track through old pines and the remains of earlier glen settlements. Just short of 5km, keep to the main track rather than taking the right-hand branch for Corrour; cross White Bridge and continue toward Red House. Ruighe Ealasaid, the Red House, was restored in 2022 and is open as a Mountain Bothies Association shelter.

The glen track passes the ruins of Geldie Lodge after several burns. Allt Dhaidh Beag has a footbridge just to the side of its ford. Allt Dhaidh Mòr has no bridge, and the River Geldie must also be forded; either can be dangerous or impassable after heavy rain. Check the water before committing to these crossings. Beyond the lodge, a well-made stalkers’ path heads west to Allt a’Chaorainn. Cross the burn and turn onto the open moor.

A faint track soon fades into boggy ground as the route works toward the north ridge. The climb gets firmer and stonier on the ridge itself, which leads to the broad, fairly level summit area and its cairn. This stretch is easy to lose in cloud: keep track of the ridge and the intended summit rather than relying on a continuous path.

From Càrn an Fhidhleir, follow the ridge southeast toward the 906m bump. The line traverses its steep grassy flank, though continuing over the top is another option before the descent. Drop to the 702m bealach, a peat bog, then climb through heather and onto more open ground. An Sgarsoch’s large cairn stands beyond a rocky outcrop, with wide views toward the main Cairngorms range when visibility allows.

Descend north from An Sgarsoch; one short section is steeper, then the slopes open toward the bealach with Sgarsoch Bheag. A path skirts the hillock on its west side, swings north and eventually peters out. Continue to the earlier stalkers’ path and retrace the long glen approach to the car park. The summit circuit does not remove the shared walk back, so keep enough time and energy for the return.