Glas Tulaichean

Glas Tulaichean, at 1,051 metres, is a big dome-shaped mountain usually climbed from the Spittal of Glenshee, one of the easiest Munros to reach thanks to a Land Rover track running almost all the way to the summit — the old route of a former private railway that once served this remote estate.

The route starts from a parking area at the start of the private drive to Dalmunzie Castle Hotel — the first two kilometres follow this drive to the hotel itself, a magnificent baronial mansion, or walkers can pay to park at the hotel by calling ahead to shorten the walk. Beyond the hotel, a track continues towards Glenlochsie Farm and climbs steadily onto the broad dome of Glas Tulaichean — this detracts somewhat from a wilderness feel, but the views remain extensive throughout. At the highest point of the track, a short detour reaches the trig point marking the true summit, passing a small cairn en route, with good views down into the craggier ground of the Glas Choire to the east.

Most walkers continue to neighbouring Càrn an Rìgh, descending north-east around the rim of a corrie before aiming north to keep clear of a second corrie, avoiding the ridge between them, then picking up a stalkers' path across boggier slopes to the bealach beneath Càrn an Rìgh.

Early June sees an annual uphill running race from Dalmunzie to the summit — one of only two such races in Scotland, alongside Aonach Mòr in Lochaber.

Combined with Càrn an Rìgh, the round trip from Dalmunzie is typically seven to nine hours; adding Beinn Iutharn Mhòr as a third Munro extends this to a substantial ten-hour day covering around 32 kilometres.

Though the track makes the ascent itself straightforward, the connecting ground to Càrn an Rìgh and beyond crosses genuinely remote, boggy terrain — full navigation skills remain valuable, particularly if extending the round to include neighbouring summits.

Parking at the Dalmunzie estate drive is free; a daily bus service runs between Dundee/Blairgowrie and Aberdeen/Braemar past the Spittal of Glenshee.