Ciss Outdoors

This post is part of the Hikes With Dad series I share routes which built up gradually as Dad got back into hillwalking after a knee replacement.

We set off from Crathie car park on a properly sunny day. The kind where you’re reaching for suncream before breakfast. We linked up a loop of royal cairns, found John Brown’s statue tucked away in the woods, and finished at the Lochnagar Distillery. A mix of forest tracks, history, views and a cold drink at the end. Simple, but a solid day out.

It was also the longest and steepest walk Dad’s done since getting his knee replaced. He managed it really well. The route undulates so you’re never climbing for too long at once, which definitely helped.

The Cairns We Visited

There’s a bit of confusion online about how many cairns there actually are. Some sources say 11, some say 15 or 16. I’d read 11, found 8 on the hike, and was later told there are 12. Classic. Most of the cairns are just off the main route. You’ll find them if you’re paying attention, but it’s easy to walk past one if you’re not looking. The cairns were built by Queen Victoria to commemorate her children and husband, Prince Albert. The odd one out is the Purchase Cairn, built to commemorate the purchase of the Balmoral Estate.

Here are the cairns we visited:

1. Princess Beatrice’s
2. Prince Albert’s
3. Princess Alice’s
4. Prince Arthur’s
5. Prince Leopold’s
6. Purchase
7. Princess Louise’s
8. Princess Helena’s
   

We stopped for coffee in front of Prince Albert’s cairn for the incredible views and had lunch at Princess Alice’s where the trees gave us some much-needed shade. There’s a bit of up and down between cairns, but nothing too relentless, and most are tucked just off the main track. You’ll find them fine if you’re looking for them, but it’s easy to wander past one if you’re just cruising along chatting.

A Quiet Path to John Brown

After the final cairn, we took a small detour on a faint trail to find John Brown’s statue, a lovely hidden touch of history nestled away from the main path. The statue, erected by Queen Victoria in memory of her devoted servant, was later moved to its current secluded location after her death. It’s believed that her son, Edward VII, who disapproved of Brown’s influence over the Queen, ordered the relocation to a less conspicuous spot on the estate. Now it stands off the beaten path, away from the other royal markers.

Cold Drinks at the Finish

Instead of heading straight back to the car, we added a final stop at Lochnagar Distillery. It’s right near the end of the loop, and it was too hot not to. We sat outside with cold drinks and chatted through the day. Which cairns we liked best, where we’d go next, and how far Dad had come in just a few months.

Why This One Stuck With Us

Some walks just land right, and this was one of them. Clear skies, quiet trails, and plenty to stop and take in along the way.

It felt like a proper mix. A bit of a challenge for Dad, some steep bits to keep things interesting, and space to talk. We had history, views, shade, and a cold drink at the end.

We’ll be back to try and find the rest of the cairns one day, but this loop made for a brilliant intro to the area. You don’t need to go inside Balmoral Castle to feel the sense of history. It’s all out there, tucked into the trees.

Related reading:

Exploring North East Scotland: Coast, Glens and Outdoor Travel

Glen Doll to Corrie Fee: A Scenic, Accessible Hike in the Angus Glens