If you're planning a wild camping trip, be sure to familiarise yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. With glorious weather all week I had an itching to get up high for a camp and take in the sunset over the Cairngorms. There’s an informative visitor centre here, which also sells refreshments, so with a promise of an icelolly at the end of the walk, we were soon under way. Hi. Next day, follow a good track for 13 miles through Glen Tromie and on to Kingussie where you can rejoin the Lochs & Glens route and cycle 13 miles to Dalwhinnie Station or 38 miles back to Blair Atholl. The views are magnificent and the walks breathtaking. read more. All in all a very pleasant trip and in the summer would be great to take the family on a picnic or barbecue to the area. Looking to park up & camp rather than carry the gear. read more, Enjoyed the 10 mile walk on a lovely autumn day. If you visiting November make sure you wear water/windproof clothes (jeans are no good) and proper walking boots! The road into the loch is quite narrow in lots of places however once you go through the countryside and tree lined road it opens up into spectacular views of Glen Muick. There’s nothing quite like camping under the stars on a crisp evening, watching the aurora and listening to the silence. Of course in Britain winter days are as likely to bring rain and sleet as snow and grey damp skies rather than the brightness of sun on snowfields. For the more energetic, the trip up Lochnagar is a must. The perfect winter landscape for backpacking is snow-covered, a pristine white alpine or arctic world where all signs of humanity are buried. I've not seen her this full before but my my... This video shows a great spot for Motorhome wildcamping at Duck Bay, Loch Lomond on the A82 near Balloch. Loch Muick is only a few miles from Ballater. Dramatic and very East Coast Scottish highlands, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Ballater, Hotels near Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Ballater, Royal Lochnagar Distillery: Tickets & Tours‎, Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve: Tickets & Tours‎. Wild Camping at Loch Doon. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, so I would definitely recommend. If you are lucky you will see the herd of wandering from hillside to loch for a drink. Nice summer weekend at Loch Muick, in Scotland, Cairngorms National Park. Wild camping is allowed so long as you follow general guidelines. read more, Even though you are not supposed to camp around the woods and start a fire, there is a small campground made by me and my friends at the far right side in the woods behind the bothy from the side you approach the buildings which campers could use without disturbing anybody or the wildlife.Beautiful spot for all sorts of people to enjoy, its good for campers, hikers, tourists, taking your dog for a walk, and I believe it is possible to get a fishing or hunting permit. Make sure you have plenty of fuel, there are no garages nearby. We only found out about Loch Muick when we visited Ballater's information point by the Old Railway - comes highly recommended & only 25 minute drive from Ballater.Some tips before venturing out there -1) make sure you go on a good day - rain will spoil it for you!2) parking is £4 all day - ensure you have change to hand! The building and grounds of glas-allt-shiel are gorgeous. Best accessed by … Wild camping in Scotland can be a truly uplifting experience. Remembering of course to leave not a trace behind.Wildlife was all over, and reminded us of just how amazing our country actually is! Day 10: Loch Muick to Tarfside Blue skies early in the morning are a false dawn; a breather for the rain, but also a chance to capture a great view and rare blue sky down Glen Muick. It's a great feeling!There is a public toilet just down from the car park and also a rather good visitor centre. Cycle there and then hike up to Lochnagar for a steep and rewarding day. Another possible wild camping spot? If you are lucky you will see the herd of wandering from hillside to loch for a drink. Wild Camping in Scotland. There is however a shorter walk which doesn't go round the Loch and at a brisk pace can take about an hour to go round the circular route. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. If you want to go there to see deer take a pair of binoculars as they are near the hilltops during the day and come down during the night, last month when I was camping they woke me up screaming next to my tent.I would recommend walking up to the foot of the waterfall if you want to take some pictures.Have been here about 7 times now and will be going back soon no matter what the weather is like, if you live in Scotland you just get on with the cold rain. Loch Muick: Wild and wonderful - See 549 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Ballater, UK, at Tripadvisor. We frequently visit Loch Muick for its beauty and tranquility. At various points around the Loch there are paths which can take you climb some of the mountains i.e. Though Skye is something of a wild camper's paradise, Loch Coruisk is possibly the pick of camping spots on the peerless island. Loch muick never ceases to amaze me with her beauty. Parked up at 0700 – the car park was already quite busy, presumably folks camping here and there.… The views are outstanding. We frequently visit Loch Muick for its beauty and tranquility. / Wild Camping Glen Muick & Spittal of Glen Muick: New Topic Reply to Topic. It says, basically, campers should follow a policy of 'leave-no-trace'. Great walk for a dog. We did it on mountain bikes and at 54 and 14 stone I’m hardly a climber! Right after Halloween 2016, I took my two girls on a 3-day backpacking trip around this loch, packing our tent, camping stove and a few fun goodies to experiment on the trail. Once past the north west shore of the loch, we t urned east to make for the car park, when I noticed this chap casually crossing the path. The car park is accessed on a long single track road with passing places. We took the one to Loch Muick and the path is well maintained and easy to walk. Hike to the Lochnagar, 1155m high peak. As part of Scotland's access legislation, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you are allowed to camp on most unenclosed land. I was less than keen at the prospect of this spot for camping having previously experienced it in summer , and it would be completly sheltered from the wind which would very likely add midges and a flotilla of anchored yachts into the mix. The walk around Loch Muick is approximately 7miles long and half way round you come upon Queen Victoria's Hunting Lodge. It is well worth visiting. If youre with elderly, just do the right hand path!Provided photos of the views and map! In the Highlands, wild camping is well accepted in many places but there are places to avoid eg round Loch Ossian or in Glen Muick. The walk takes in the impressive Glas-allt Shiel house built by Queen Victoria from where there is an optional detour to see some waterfalls. Glas-allt-Shiel is a lodge on the Balmoral Estate by the shore of Loch Muick in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.In its present form it was built in 1868 by Queen Victoria, who called it Glassalt, to be what she called her "widow's house" where she could escape from the world following the death of her husband Albert.It is now a category B listed building owned personally by Elizabeth II. Loch Doon and the area surrounding it covers a huge area and there are many spots not only by the loch but also just off the road and a little further afield that are great places to wild camp or park up for the night if you have a camper. However, due to overuse, areas of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is subject to wild camping … The tree colours were beautiful and the Loch and... Just before the loch begins, the path forks off. We decided to visit Loch Muick and ascend at least a few of the 5 surrounding Munros. more. gcjh 04 Oct 2012. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC, Recommended experiences in and around Ballater. The walk around Loch Muick is approximately 7miles long and half way round you come upon Queen Victoria's Hunting Lodge. The tree colours were beautiful and the Loch and... Amazing views are on offer with easy parking to act as a base camp. Loch muick never ceases to amaze me with her beauty. We decided to press on into Loch Sunart where we knew that there was good flat ground on the south shore of Loch na Droma Buidhe. The hardest thing is drying out gear (camping gear, wild camping gear and kayaking gear). I'm planning to come back but next time may - Sep' and hopefully I'll also have a glimpse of deer! Putting on the previous day’s wet clothes to keep your dry set dry is maybe sensible but not at all nice and I really feel for Brian Wilson in his book “Blazing Paddles” (lent to us by Mick) when he had to do it every day for four months whilst sea kayaking right round Scotland in a wet summer. There are many places where wild camping is accepted you won't be challenged or disturbed especially high in the Lake District Hills or North Wales. I have visited the Loch with my 13yr old. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. Lochnagar Sunset. wonderful views round this walk, Lots of people usualy on it. Loch Muick: Walks, views, wildlife.....and some cheeky wild camping - See 549 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Ballater, UK, at Tripadvisor. See this Tour and others like it, or plan your own with komoot! Broadcairn and Lochnagar to name but two. Cycling Loch Muick. Enjoyed the 10 mile walk on a lovely autumn day. We walked the long walk around the lake and it took us 4h-but well worth it! It is a lovely, winding road with superb scenery all the way. Sunrise over Loch Muick from Broad Cairn. Lovely place to walk around Loch Muick and visit Queen Victorias house, extremely lovely surroundings in the Cairngorms National Park. A Guide to Wild Camping in Scotland. I've never had a problem high up in a Scottish Glen, for instance. The drive from Ballater through Glen Muick is superb. We also used the time to get out into the wilds a little further and do some camping. Loch Muick: Wild beauty - See 549 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Ballater, UK, at Tripadvisor. Various walks are available for those who want a quick trip or a longer experience. Date: Saturday 31st July 2016 Distance: 24.1km Ascent: 930m Another day with the best of any brightness in the east. Great place - hiking around the lake is good for those worried about steep climbs etc as it is very flat. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The area around Gaick Lodge and Loch an t-Seilich is a good overnight wild camping spot, though again, please observe SNH’s wild camping guidance. Loch Muick Circuit This low level circular walk starts from the Spittal of Glen Muick car park. So after cutting the grass I headed out Thursday afternoon to Loch Muick, via a quick stop in Ballater to drop off some flyers at the library. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. It’s a gradual climb for most of the way, but quite gradual as you only ascend about 250m in 10 miles. January is a better month for wild camping than August! After nine days of walking and climbing, the poor… Looking to spend the weekend walking around Lochnagar & the White Mounth. The tree colours were beautiful and the Loch and... There is a pay-to-park lot and also bathroom facilities at the beginning of the trail. A beautiful scenic area populated by many red deer, great walk just round Loch Muick - especially with a dog, Hotels near Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, Hotels near Ballater VisitScotland iCentre, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Ballater, Royal Lochnagar Distillery: Tickets & Tours‎, Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve: Tickets & Tours‎. Loch Lomond: wild camping The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is introduced. Remembering of course to leave not a trace behind. This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings. The road into the loch is quite narrow in lots of places however once you go through the countryside and tree lined road it opens up into spectacular views of Glen Muick. The car park makes a charge of £4 which seems excessive but there is a visitor centre and a modern toilet block adjacent to the car park. My husband and I did the hike around the Loch Muick. Member-exclusive - … We hit the road and went wild camping at Loch Rannoch a few weeks ago and had a great time, finally here is the vlog! Various walks are available for those who want a quick trip or a longer experience. The scenery was beautiful (the weather no so much - we got stuck in few short sleet and rain blizzards) but apart from winter coats, hats and trainers-we weren't dressed for winter conditions! Amazing views are on offer with easy parking to act as a base camp. Looking back down Loch Muick as we head for Spittal of Glen Muick, and a short drive to Ballater for a night in the campsite there. The left handside path is rocky in places. There are toilets at the beginning of the loch. It is single track, but there are lots of passing places so easily done by any driver.Once you park up at the end of the road there are various walks you can take. Don't forgot £4 for the car park!!! read more, Enjoyed the 10 mile walk on a lovely autumn day. Just a shame that the tea and coffee vending machine was out of order!This is a great place to come to, so if you are in the Ballater area, I would suggest that this is a "must visit" attraction. It takes a while though! Recommended experiences in and around Ballater. I've not seen her this full before but my my... Hideout for red deers! Being off the grid, back with nature, contemplating your existence, resetting your priorities, being happy! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Loch Muick is only a few miles from Ballater. In Scotland, wild camping is allowed almost anywhere, thanks to the right-to-roam laws. If you do the full walk round the loch in the morning, you can give your ticket away to anyone arriving to do to the walk later!3) bring your own lunch - it's a tiring walk but so worth it for the views & peacefulness4) if youre going to do the full route round the loch, it takes about 3 hours for those who are experienced and fit. We cycled up from Ballater which is about 10 miles to the Loch. Join The Camping and Caravanning Club today to benefit from over 100 years of expertise as well as specially selected discounts tailored to our members. What I like here is that a look st your road map will tell you that once you get to the end of this road there no other roads ahead of you for miles and miles; just a huge area of glens, lochs, rivers and mountains. Loch muick never ceases to amaze me with her beauty. Even though you are not supposed to camp around the woods and start a fire, there is a small campground made by me and my friends at the far right side in the woods behind the bothy from the side you approach the buildings which campers could use without disturbing anybody or the wildlife. Loch muick never ceases to amaze me with her beauty. The views are magnificent and the walks breathtaking. Enjoyed the 10 mile walk on a lovely autumn day. Of course, this has its limits and you cannot simply camp in someone’s garden, on farmed land, schools, golf courses, etc. Loch Muick is a lovely freshwater lake on the estate of Balmoral, nestled in the Grampians of Scotland between mountains covered in heather. We also used the time to get out into the wilds a little further and do some camping. Loch Muick: Great place - See 549 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Ballater, UK, at Tripadvisor. 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