An excellent circuit from the attractive town of Kingussie, capital of Badenoch. It takes in a hillwalk across the summit of Creag Beag with excellent views, and later passes through pinewoods with a great chance to see red squirrels.
Summary
The entire route is well waymarked, but the route over Creag Beag, and particularly the descent, is steep and rough in places.
Terrain
Ardvonie car park in the centre of Kingussie
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. Park at the Ardvonie car park, which is the main free car park signposted in the centre of Kingussie; to reach it take the road north next to the large Duke of Gordon hotel. At the far corner of the car park is an information board on a variety of walks in the area around the town; this route combines the Creag Bheag and Tom Boraidh routes to make the longest circuit, but there are also several shorter walks if these are preferred. The path begins between the information board and the public toilets, and slopes uphill to join a road, amongst many of the fine Victorian stone villas that make up the bulk of Kingussie. Turn right along the road (footpath sign for Creag Bheag and West Terrace circular) rather the taking the West Terrace road itself opposite, which has a similar sign. A short distance up the road, take the track which turns off to the left - again signed for West Terrace and Creag Bheag.
2. The track soon passes through two gates and then climbs up through the pinewoods. Ignore several unsigned turnings on the left and keep to the main, waymarked route, continuing to gain height as you go. Much higher up the route leaves the woodland through a small gate and reaches the open moor. There is a path junction just beyond here; turning left is the continuation of the West Terrace circuit, taking an alternative route back to Kingussie; our route goes right to continue the climb up the moorland towards the summit of Creag Bheag.
3. The path across the moor is slightly boggy in one or two spots but generally gives excellent going, with ever-improving views back behind you. Eventually it reaches the ill-defined summit ridge of Creag Bheag, which is crowned with a whole series of stone cairns; the route leads past most of them. You might be able to spot helmetted climbers atop the edge of a crag below and over to the right - belaying their friends up the precipice. The final minor summit along the ridge has a much more substantially-built stone shelter, containing a seat with the perfect view over the town of Kingussie far below.
4. The path begins to descend slightly, and gives an excellent view of Loch Gynack backed by the bare, rolling mounds of the Monadh Liath hills; soon after this, the descent becomes much steeper and passes through some scattered birch woodland. Much lower down is a path junction which gives the option of turning right for a quick return to Kingussie; otherwise, continue straight ahead - also signed for Golf course circular and Kingussie. The path comes close to the Loch where it meets another path, turning right to reach a gate and pass into the forestry.
5. The path through the forest is through a broad, heathery ride at first, before narrowing and emerging from the trees beside a bench and a fence. Bear left here to reach a ruined house which is all that remains of the Toman an t-Seomair township, now engulfed by the golf course. Pass left of the old house to reach an attractive section of path which runs along a wooded little ridge between the golfers and the river. There are good views back across the golf course to Creag Bheag, with its rock-climbers' crag prominent. Keep on the waymarked path which soon turns left and descends very steeply down to the river, following it to reach a large wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right on the far side on a tarred drive through the golf course. Continue on this drive for around a kilometre to a signposed junction with another track turning left through a gate into woodland. Once again, you can cut the walk short by continuing straight ahead down the drive towards Kingussie; otherwise turn left through the gate, now following the green-waymarked Tom Baraidh walk. Once through the gate, the route immediately turns left through the trees on a narrow path (waymarkers).
6. Keep following the waymarkers, which soon lead you close to the northeastern edge of this attractive pine forest. The route now keep about the same distance from this forest edge for a kilometre or so. If you keep quiet on this section, you have a great chance to see red squirrels; we saw five different squirrels when walking this section in September. Keep an eye on the waymarkers - and the forest fence - to keep you on track, until you reach a four-way wooden signpost near a bench. At this point turn sharp left (signed 'Kingussie') passing over a wooden stile and then bearing right through two gates. The gates lead you to stony lane which bends to and fro, passing in front of a large green barn, before joining the Kingussie road at the eastern extremity of the town. Turn right along the road to pass through the centre to the Duke of Gordon Hotel, where you turn right to return to the car park at the start.
Photo: Duke of Gordon Hotel from the park
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