Hello,
I would agree with you re-the Speyside Way I would find it too tedious to walk. Never walked it but as a cycling route it is fine all the way down to the sea from Badenoch and since I live in Badenoch there are parts of it that find me on my bike quite frequently.
I think that I am correct to say that it was the first of any of the organised walking routes in Scotland nearly forty years ago. Before then you could use the Rights of Way fingerposts to guide you on a long walk.
I think that I am also correct when I write that the way that you took to Tomintoul.. ...presently the wee dead end alternative, was originally considered as part of a route that would take walkers into Glenmore via Bridge of Avon, Dorback, Ryvoan etc.then through the Lairig Ghru and on to follow the Tilt down to Blair Atholl.
I guess that at the time thought to be a route that for casual walkers without services and easy escapes to be a potential problem for many unprepared walkers?
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There are many more demanding organised walking routes now available to walk in Scotland today.