None of the electric fences were live in May 2015 when I went this way. I'm not sure if this was just luck or if they are only used at certain times of the year.

There's a distinct lack of running water, which is the major problem for wild camping. There's a trickle to the north of the summit of Tampie by some flattish ground (by the non-existent wee lochan shown on the OS map)

Went this way in 2103, fences E of Mount Keen were dead.

Finding a decent pitch along the ridge is a bit of a problem as others have noted. I deliberately pitched up early just E of Mount Keen near the summit of Braid Cairn (~NO 425 869, level dry grassy pitch if potentially a bit draughty. Water picked up from the head waters of Cowie Burn just to the W.

Alistair,

Would go along with what has already been said. Certainly much, much easier going that the sodden peat hags to the W of Mt. Keen although there are the dreadful electric fence now originating near Gannoch and running along the boundary.I have not done the whole route for donkeys year and before this fence was put up although there was a high electrified deer fence running for miles from E of Mt. Battock almost to Clachnaben dating back to the 70s, but now thankfully dismantled with remains still to be seen. Do remember to take in the wonderful Clachnaben and the the delightful descent down to Millers Bog/GlenDye Lodge. The area is littered with high ground wrecks- let me know if you want the locations.

My very best to Mrs. Pooler,

regards,

Colin

Colin is absolutely right about Clachnaben. A great wee hill and now my standard Boxing Day walk.

The hill of the lopsided nipple

Hi,

Many thanks to everyone for their useful information and advice . I'd looked at the satellite images before, but nothing beats reports from people who've walked that way before!

In the end I've decided to go for it, with a long day planned from Shiel of Glentanar to Glen Dye. And I've decided to take in Clachnaben too - it looks like a great hill .

Now I've just got to hope for dry and clear weather. I suspect navigation will be tricky in places if the cloud is down!

Alistair

One of the highlights of my first challenge was leaving Tarfside climbing up to the ridge that encompasses Mt Battock and, ultimately, Clachnaben. A bit of lunar, or certainly alien-looking landscape, with the peat hags and sand. Like nothing else I' ve experienced on the Challenge, before or since, and certainly well worth it.

As to water, had I carried water up there would have been innumerable places to pitch but I ended up in the Fetteresso instead, shortening my last day to Dunnottar Castle. Another highlight was my introduction to Graeme and Marion Dunsire, every year we seem to come across one another in the most unlikely of places.......I wonder where it will be in 2016.