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Arrived at Achlean at 8.10 to find car park already half full and brilliant blue skies showing why that might be the case
A glorious May morning
Passed round the back of Achlean Farm
Good path
Balancing on rocks got us across the burn with dry boots then we followed the path towards the bridge over the Feshie.
River Feshie from bridge
We turned left along the tarmac road and the first folk we met were interesting because one was on a bike and the other was walking - but they were together. We got chatting and it turned out they were teachers supervising a Duke of Ed group camping further up the glen. Not far behind them came the first of the happy campers after a pleasant night camping on the grassy area at the foot of the track up Slochd Mor. One of the girls we spoke to was most enthusiastic showing us photos she had taken of the resident ponies there. As retired teachers Moira and I were impressed by the politeness and friendliness of all the kids we met - a credit to their Inverness school.
Group of D of E kids suddenly appearing in my photo
Glen Feshie has many stately old pines
Tarmac road runs parallel to river
Carnachuin Cottages
The road passes in front of the cottages at Carnachuin and soon we saw the remains of the bridge that was swept away in 2009. Walkhighlands says hopefully it was to be replaced in 2010 - but there's not much sign of that happening any time soon.
Remains of bridge
At the entrance to Glen Feshie Lodge (marked private) we took the left fork, at which point the road surface changed from well maintained tarmac to gravel.
Glen Feshie Lodge - and still not a cloud in the sky
Field where D of E kids camped - and first sign of cloud
Take right fork at this tree to head for the Slochd Mor pass
Slochd Mor
Lochan an t'Sluic
At the top of the pass we took the right fork heading up Carn Dearg Mor (the big red hill). On the track zig-zagging up we spotted a tiny figure ahead of us, who turned out to be Gordie12 off this site.
We saw Gordie take the short cut up the faint path through the heather and did likewise which for me anyway was a relief to the feet after so long walking on a hard surface. Then we followed the track to the top meeting Gordie coming back down and heading home by the way he'd come so he could take some more photos in Glen Feshie. It was only after reading your report I realised who you were - but good to chat and any photo I post that looks like yours just goes to show we both have a good eye for a good picture!
Summit (M's pic)
By the time we reached the top it was cold enough to don jackets and gloves and the sky was mysteriously completely grey (though cloud cover was high so we could still see a distance). But where had the blue sky and sun gone? I'd been too busy concentrating on the climb to notice the cloud coming in but the speed of the transformation from wall to wall blue to wall to wall grey was striking - and without me noticing until it had happened. As a friend commented later there must be a parable in that.
Angel's Peak and Cairn Toul from summit
Ben Alder hills
From the summit we followed the WH route down the ridge, north east at first then north with views of Badenoch and Strathspey ahead.
Track heading north east from summit
Moira reading WH blurb over coffee
It was on the windy side to stop for coffee at the top but lower down we found some shelter and with time on our side we sat there for a while until we heard voices approaching. As we got up to get going the owners of the voices caught up - a couple on holiday from Somerset who had cycled up the glen. We got talking, discovered they were teachers too and shared our enthusiasm for the Highlands. We walked together to where they had stashed their bikes and they asked which walks we'd recommend so we told them about this site and hope they were able to access it okay! What a pleasure to meet such a lovely couple and we wish them well with all their future plans.
Moira with Robin and Claire
Track leading back down to floor of Glen Feshie
Robin and Claire picked up their bikes and we waved them off to make a speedier exit from the glen that we would. As we walked on towards the bridge we saw another large camping group pitching tents close to the river and at the bridge itself three lads who asked me to take their photo with a very expensive piece of kit which was a privilege to hold in my hands! There were others camping there who had cycled in. What a busy place Glen Feshie was yesterday - but not surprising considering it was fine weather and the bank holiday weekend.
By the time we reached the burn again my feet were so hot and sweaty I decided not to repeat any wet rock balancing to cross and put on the old sandals I'd brought "just in case". It was a momentary shock to immerse feet in cold water but after that sheer bliss!
Tonic for tired feet
All in all a brilliant day.
