A February Wonderland at Loch Muick: 50 Stags, Snowy Peaks, and a Roaring Fire in Queen Victoria’s Bothy
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
February 2026 will always stand out as one of those perfect Scottish adventures — the kind where the weather throws everything at you, but the rewards are unforgettable. I headed into the Cairngorms National Park for a hike around Loch Muick, a hidden gem on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire. What I found was a dramatic loch ringed by snow-dusted mountains, a massive herd of red deer stags, and a cosy bothy fire that made the cold melt away.
Jay & Lewis StorePremium full-grain leather goods, handmade in Scotland
Luxurious wallets, bags, totes & everyday accessories
Stylish dog collars & leads featuring signature tartan detailing
Built to last with a beautiful natural patina
Family-crafted by a mother & daughter duo in Aberdeen
Strength, style & soul in every piece
Shop Jay & Lewis – premium leather for you and your dog. Check more here:
Premium full-grain leather goods, handmade by professional artisans
Luxurious wallets, bags, totes & everyday accessories
Stylish dog collars & leads featuring signature tartan detailing
Built to last with a beautiful natural patina
Family-crafted by a mother & daughter duo in Aberdeen
Strength, style & soul in every piece
Shop Jay & Lewis – Where Quality Counts
Loch Muick (pronounced “Mick”) is roughly 2.5 miles long and sits at the heart of the Balmoral Estate — the same royal lands loved by generations of the British monarchy. It’s wild, remote, and incredibly scenic, with paths that wind through heather moorland, pine forests, and along the loch shore. In winter and early spring, the higher slopes often stay snow-covered while the lower ground starts to thaw, creating that classic Highland contrast I captured in so many shots.
Hiker on the path to Loch Muick with pine trees and snowy mountains in the distance
Walking the gravel path towards the loch — the sense of space is incredible.
The hike itself is straightforward but rewarding. Starting from the Spittal of Glenmuick car park, you follow a good track along the north shore. Within an hour or so you’re deep into the landscape, with views opening up across the water to the brooding, snow-streaked hills. One of my favourite moments shows the loch stretching out under heavy grey skies, with the mountains rising sharply on the far side.
Wide view over Loch Muick with snow-covered hills and a path on the left
The loch looking moody and majestic — exactly why Queen Victoria fell in love with this place.
Speaking of Queen Victoria… this area has serious royal history. In 1868 she built Glas-allt-Shiel (often called Glassalt) at the western end of the loch as her private “widow’s house.” After Prince Albert died, she wanted a quiet escape from the world.
The main lodge is still there (you pass it on the way), but tucked round the back is the Glas-allt-Shiel bothy — a simple outbuilding that’s now open to the public.
Stags standing on the ridge above Loch Muick
Stags keeping watch on the ridge — a classic Highlands moment. And then came the highlight: the stags. As I rounded a bend, a huge herd of red deer appeared right beside the loch — easily 50 animals grazing peacefully on the grassy slope.
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) are the UK’s largest land mammal and an iconic part of the Cairngorms. In winter they gather in bigger groups, moving down to lower ground for better grazing. The stags still had their impressive antlers (they usually shed them later in winter or early spring), and seeing them so close, silhouetted against the water and mountains, was pure magic.
A large herd of stags grazing right beside Loch Muick
The full herd of around 50 stags — one of those “pinch me” wildlife moments.
Watch the video I managed to film of the stags right by the loch (they were so calm and close — you can hear the wind and see them munching away)
After soaking in the deer spectacle, I continued to the bothy. A quick detour round the back of Glas-allt-Shiel and there it was: a basic but welcoming shelter maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. Bothies are a wonderful Scottish tradition — simple, unlocked stone buildings in remote places, originally built for shepherds and estate workers in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today they’re free shelters for hikers, with no electricity, just a stove, a few sleeping platforms, and the “bothy code” (carry out what you carry in, leave it better than you found it).
I got the fire roaring in no time. There’s something special about sitting in a bothy that’s part of Queen Victoria’s old retreat, listening to the crackle of wood while the wind howls outside. The bothy has a multi-fuel stove, a composting toilet, and even a little candelabra for atmosphere. (Note: always check the latest MBA status before visiting — these places are maintained by volunteers and occasionally close for repairs.)Loch Muick in February showed me the Highlands at their raw, beautiful best: wild deer, royal history, epic views, and that warm glow of a bothy fire. If you’re looking for a proper Scottish adventure that feels a million miles from anywhere, put this one on your list. Just pack layers, good boots, and maybe a few extra logs for the stove.
Have you walked around Loch Muick or stayed in a bothy? Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear your stories. And if these photos and the stag video have inspired you, get out there. Scotland’s wild places never disappoint.
Comments