Great Gully

Valley in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Great Gully

Headwall of Garbh Choire Mòr Garbh Choire Mòr is an 'upper bay' of An Garbh Choire, the massive bowl of rock and boulder between Braigh Riabhach and Càrn an t-Sabhail.
Headwall of Garbh Choire Mòr Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Great Gully, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is a picturesque valley renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. Nestled within the Grampian Mountains, it stretches for approximately 4 miles, providing a breathtaking setting for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The valley is characterized by its dramatic landscape, featuring steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery. The towering granite walls of the gully create an awe-inspiring sight, attracting climbers from all over the world who are eager to conquer its challenging routes. The gully is also home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons, making it a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Great Gully's history dates back centuries, with evidence of ancient settlements and burial sites found in the area. It has played a significant role in the local community, serving as a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and poets throughout the years. The gully has also been a subject of numerous folklore and legends, adding to its allure and mystique.

The valley offers numerous activities for visitors to enjoy, such as hiking, rock climbing, and photography. Several well-marked trails wind through the valley, providing opportunities to explore its hidden treasures and discover its natural wonders. Additionally, the nearby town of Aberdeenshire offers amenities such as accommodation, restaurants, and shops, making it a convenient base for those wishing to explore Great Gully and its surrounding areas.

In conclusion, Great Gully in Aberdeenshire is a captivating valley that showcases the raw beauty of Scotland's landscape. With its towering cliffs, abundant wildlife, and rich history, it offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature and discover the wonders of this remarkable region.

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Great Gully Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.059966/-3.7475062 or Grid Reference NN9497. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Headwall of Garbh Choire Mòr Garbh Choire Mòr is an 'upper bay' of An Garbh Choire, the massive bowl of rock and boulder between Braigh Riabhach and Càrn an t-Sabhail.
Headwall of Garbh Choire Mòr
Garbh Choire Mòr is an 'upper bay' of An Garbh Choire, the massive bowl of rock and boulder between Braigh Riabhach and Càrn an t-Sabhail.
Path ascending Coire Dhondail above Loch Eanaich The path can be just made out ascending from left to right to the left of the waterfalls.
Path ascending Coire Dhondail above Loch Eanaich
The path can be just made out ascending from left to right to the left of the waterfalls.
View down to Loch Eanaich from path ascending Coire Dhondail The steepest section of the path up Coire Dhondail. There is a short section of unstable loose stones/rocks to negotiate.
View down to Loch Eanaich from path ascending Coire Dhondail
The steepest section of the path up Coire Dhondail. There is a short section of unstable loose stones/rocks to negotiate.
Western cairn on Carn na Criche With a lack of vegetation, the walking is easy across the Cairngorm plateau towards Braeriach.
Western cairn on Carn na Criche
With a lack of vegetation, the walking is easy across the Cairngorm plateau towards Braeriach.
Corrie rim on Carn na Criche - view SSE
Corrie rim on Carn na Criche - view SSE
Southern cairn at Einich Cairn
Southern cairn at Einich Cairn
View towards Cairn Toul & Sgor an Lochain Uaine from Braeriach
View towards Cairn Toul & Sgor an Lochain Uaine from Braeriach
Cairn Toul and Angel's Peak Taken from near Lochan Buidhe on the east of the Lairig Ghru. Cairn Toul is the higher mountain, on the left:  Angel's Peak is central. Below them is Lochan Uaine.
Cairn Toul and Angel's Peak
Taken from near Lochan Buidhe on the east of the Lairig Ghru. Cairn Toul is the higher mountain, on the left: Angel's Peak is central. Below them is Lochan Uaine.
Lochan Uaine The lochan was viewed from the col between Cairn Toul (Carn an t-Sabhail) and The Angel’s Peak (Sgor an Lochain Uaine).
Lochan Uaine
The lochan was viewed from the col between Cairn Toul (Carn an t-Sabhail) and The Angel’s Peak (Sgor an Lochain Uaine).
Cairn at the Top of Coire Dhondail Path, Cairngorms National Park This small stone cairn at an altitude of about 1000m roughly marks the place where the Coire Dhondail path from Glean Eaniach emerges onto a plateau, just west of the mountains Braeriach and Cairn Toul.
Cairn at the Top of Coire Dhondail Path, Cairngorms National Park
This small stone cairn at an altitude of about 1000m roughly marks the place where the Coire Dhondail path from Glean Eaniach emerges onto a plateau, just west of the mountains Braeriach and Cairn Toul.
Top of the Falls of Dee, Aberdeenshire The River Dee finds its source in the Cairngorm Mountains at over 4000 ft above sea level on the summit plateau of Braeriach, Britain's 3rd highest mountain.  The view here is of the top of the falls where the Dee, at this stage a small stream, leaves the Plateau.
Top of the Falls of Dee, Aberdeenshire
The River Dee finds its source in the Cairngorm Mountains at over 4000 ft above sea level on the summit plateau of Braeriach, Britain's 3rd highest mountain. The view here is of the top of the falls where the Dee, at this stage a small stream, leaves the Plateau.
Garbh Choire Refuge Members of Aberdeen Mountaineering Club have a rest beside the refuge.

The small structure was built by members of Aberdeen University Lairig Club in 1966 to provide a place to stay overnight for three or four people  to give access to nearby winter ice climbing in the Garbh Choire area. 

In more recent years it has fallen into disrepair, and is only used as an emergency refuge. There are plans to renovate it in 2018
Garbh Choire Refuge
Members of Aberdeen Mountaineering Club have a rest beside the refuge. The small structure was built by members of Aberdeen University Lairig Club in 1966 to provide a place to stay overnight for three or four people to give access to nearby winter ice climbing in the Garbh Choire area. In more recent years it has fallen into disrepair, and is only used as an emergency refuge. There are plans to renovate it in 2018
An Garbh Choire The view to the back of An Garbh Choire and the location of where this was taken 9 years ago:-
<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2490923" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2490923">Link</a>
Perhaps the highest roughest and largest corrie in Scotland, the 2 figures at left give an idea of the scale.
An Garbh Choire
The view to the back of An Garbh Choire and the location of where this was taken 9 years ago:- Link Perhaps the highest roughest and largest corrie in Scotland, the 2 figures at left give an idea of the scale.
Opposite the Falls From the summit of Sgorr an Lochain Uaine (The Angels Peak) The Falls of Dee can clearly be seen plunging over 500 feet into the mighty An Garbh Choire.
This is the view from just above the falls taken over 9 years ago:-
<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2495174" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2495174">Link</a>
Opposite the Falls
From the summit of Sgorr an Lochain Uaine (The Angels Peak) The Falls of Dee can clearly be seen plunging over 500 feet into the mighty An Garbh Choire. This is the view from just above the falls taken over 9 years ago:- Link
Lochain Uaine and Ben Macdui Descending the 5th highest mountain in Scotland - Sgor an Lochain Uaine - looking across the green lochan - Lochan Uaine - 1000ft below my position to the mist-shrouded Ben Macdui the 2nd highest mountain in Scotland. Carn Toul the 4th highest is on the right.
Lochain Uaine and Ben Macdui
Descending the 5th highest mountain in Scotland - Sgor an Lochain Uaine - looking across the green lochan - Lochan Uaine - 1000ft below my position to the mist-shrouded Ben Macdui the 2nd highest mountain in Scotland. Carn Toul the 4th highest is on the right.
Shelter in An Garbh Coire Cairngorms Basic shelter at entrance to An Garbh Coire (The rough corrie), with Angels Peak the pyramid shaped hill behind
Shelter in An Garbh Coire Cairngorms
Basic shelter at entrance to An Garbh Coire (The rough corrie), with Angels Peak the pyramid shaped hill behind
Lochan Uaine from Sgor an Lochan Uaine (Angels Peak) Cairngorms A superb scramble from An Garbh Coire past the lochan to the summit and then onto Cairn Toul one of the 4000' hills in the Cairngorms
Lochan Uaine from Sgor an Lochan Uaine (Angels Peak) Cairngorms
A superb scramble from An Garbh Coire past the lochan to the summit and then onto Cairn Toul one of the 4000' hills in the Cairngorms
Stream above Falls of Dee on Braeriach Very young River Dee about to flow down into Coire Dee/An Garbh Choire
Stream above Falls of Dee on Braeriach
Very young River Dee about to flow down into Coire Dee/An Garbh Choire
Show me another place!

Great Gully is located at Grid Ref: NN9497 (Lat: 57.059966, Lng: -3.7475062)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///scales.sunk.snacking. Near Aviemore, Highland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.059966,-3.7475062
Carn na Criche
Ele: 1265
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 57.0626469/-3.7514448
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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