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A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.
Aberdeenshire

Creag Choinnich

The little hill above Braemar, home of a hill race said to date back to 1064, with a view over Deeside.

Welcome

Creag Choinnich is the small wooded hill that stands over Braemar, and it has a long history for its size.

It was the course of the oldest recorded hill race in Scotland, said to date back to 1064, and it is still run as part of the Braemar Gathering, which Queen Victoria attended in 1850.

The trail starts in the village and climbs through the woods. It is 3.8km long, signposted all the way with flip-out posts for children, and takes about an hour and a half, climbing gently with one steeper section near the top. Red squirrels, small woodland birds and buzzards live in the woods.

At the summit the whole of upper Deeside opens up: Morrone across the valley, Beinn a' Bhuird and Ben Avon in the distance, and Braemar Castle and Invercauld House below. Trail maps are in the visitor information centre in the village. The path is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Close byFarquharson's Bar and KitchenBraemar's village pub, in an old grocer's shop, with a beer garden over the Clunie Water.1 min by roadSee itThe white front of Farquharson's in the middle of Braemar.
Before you go

The signposted trail is 3.8km and takes about an hour and a half.

Maps are in the visitor information centre in Braemar.

Distance
3.8km.
Time
About an hour and a half.
Access
Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Where it is

Braemar.

Close byAround Braemar.
  1. Saltire flag flies above the Fife Arms Hotel's stepped gablesBraemarUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. The Bothy's wood-lined café room in Braemar, a dog at the big windows over the river.The Bothy BraemarUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. The Flying Stag, AberdeenshireThe Flying StagUnder a mile1 min by road
  4. Bertie's Whisky Bar, red velvet chairs among walls of bottles in lamplight.Bertie's Whisky BarUnder a mile1 min by road
  5. Gordon's glass counter of cakes under its chalkboard sign in Braemar.The Gordon’s Tearoom BraemarUnder a mile2 min by road
Directions
The white front of Farquharson's in the middle of Braemar.BarsFarquharson's Bar and Kitchen0.3 miles
The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion at Braemar, green timber under red roofs and a white clock tower.AttractionsBraemar Highland Games Centre0.6 miles
Sitting room with white fireplace, portrait and framed prints, sofas draped in floral coversAttractionsBraemar Castle1.0 miles
Wooden footbridge over a rocky river surrounded by pine forestAttractionsLinn of Quoich2.4 miles over the water
The deep trench of the Lairig Ghru between steep hillsides.AttractionsThe Lairig Ghru4.4 miles
Loch Callater lying in its glen between heather slopes and hills.WalksLoch Callater4.6 miles
River tumbling over rocky rapids through pine forest under grey skiesAttractionsLinn of Dee6.9 miles
Rusted metal standing stones on a hillside overlooking a wide glenAttractionsThe Watchers6.9 miles
Stone church with spire and rose window at end of tree-lined driveAttractionsCrathie Kirk9.3 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near Creag Choinnich, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.Faunoran House
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Crathie
  • 8 miles from Creag Choinnich
Free 16–18 OctA grand stone house with multiple gables and chimneys stands on a lawn at dusk, a Land Rover parked in the drive under a stormy sky.Gairnshiel Lodge
  • Sleeps 16
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 11 miles from Creag Choinnich
Free 18–20 OctA wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.Laggan Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 11 miles from Creag Choinnich
Free 18–20 OctTwo grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.Old School Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 11 miles from Creag Choinnich
Free 17–19 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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