Scotland
Easter Balloch
834M
2736FT
About Easter Balloch
Rising as a high, heathery dome in the eastern Mounth, this substantial hill sits in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Mount Keen. It offers a remote, expansive feel characteristic of the high Angus plateaus, providing a quiet alternative to the busier Munro tracks starting from near Ballater.
Key Statistics
Rank
61st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Lochaber
Prominence
?
100.7m
Nearest Town
Spittal of Glenmuick
Geology
You are hiking over hard, sandy rocks and layered, clay-rich stones. These durable formations, including tough quartzite and flaky schists, create the rugged foundation of Easter Balloch.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NO348801
Latitude
56.9076°N
Longitude
3.0723°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Gaelic bealach, meaning a pass; it marks the high ground overlooking the historic through-routes connecting the Angus Glens with Deeside.
- •Positioned just over three kilometres southwest of Mount Keen, the summit is frequently bypassed by walkers intent on reaching the more famous, most easterly Munro.
- •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for viewing the sprawling Lochnagar massif to the west and the deep, carved trough of Glen Muick.
- •Despite reaching a height of over 833 metres, it misses out on Corbett status by a frustratingly small margin, which often leaves its slopes deserted even on busy weekends.
- •It serves as a reliable barometer for Deeside weather; if you can see the top of Easter Balloch from the glen, it is about to rain, and if you cannot, it already is.