walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Last part of Speyside Way wrapped up with cake at both ends

Last part of Speyside Way wrapped up with cake at both ends


Postby dogplodder » Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:21 pm

Route description: Speyside Way 8: Kincraig to Newtonmore

Date walked: 08/10/2020

Distance: 21 km

8 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

So now for our final part of the Speyside Way - Kincraig to Newtonmore.

On 10th September we walked from Kincraig to the Uath Lochans as an out and back and had coffee and carrot cake once we returned to the start point at Kincraig post office, which doubles as a coffee shop. It was good to see this place open again and providing a thriving wee hub for the local community. We met Paul there and chatted about the difficulties for outdoor centres that had been closed since March and are unable to take group bookings even into 2021, and how damaging it is to mental health to have this facility withdrawn nationwide. Paul is based at the outdoor centre at Alltnacriche and the previous day they had received word from the Scottish government there would be no financial help available. (This may have changed now).

Kincraig coffee shop
IMG_0097c.JPG


We followed the WH directions and the SSW signs and were relieved not to find the multitude of chain gates we had to push through between Ballindalloch and Grantown. This was an altogether more civilised section with an excellent surface for cycling, not many gates and good views.

We crossed the bridge over the outflow of the Spey from Loch Insh.

Zoomed south on Loch Insh to what looks like the shape of Meall Chuaich
IMG_0096c.JPG


We nipped up the path to the church by the lochside. For churches with scenic locations this one must be up there.

Insh Church
IMG_0094c.JPG


About 30 years ago when our kids were young we were on holiday up north and came to this church as we were passing through. After the service and with a journey ahead I asked an old lady where the toilets were. She said "Oh dearie we have no toilets, you just go behind a gravestone." Even 30 years ago you will be relieved to hear we didn't!

Watersports centre
IMG_0091c.JPG


Shinty pitch and gate you turn left to go through
IMG_0080c.JPG


Maybe a project for someone?
IMG_0082c.JPG


One of the Uath lochans
IMG_0083c.JPG


As we turned back to retrace our steps to Kincraig we passed two lads who looked like they were attacking a tree with a branch. Realising how odd it must look they explained their drone was stuck high up a pine and they were trying to knock it down with a branch they found lying on the ground. We waited long enough to see they got it down, though don't know if it survived the fall.

On 8th October we were back on a brighter day than a month earlier, with the autumn colours developing nicely. This time we started at Inshriach.

Wide path through the pines of Inshriach
IMG_0189.JPG


The detour up Farleitter Crag doesn't add much to the overall distance and is worth doing for the view over the lochans.

On the way up
IMG_0190c.JPG


Uath lochans
IMG_0193c.JPG


IMG_0195c.JPG


IMG_0196c.JPG


Feshie hills
IMG_0198c.JPG


Back on track
IMG_0199c.JPG


View west
IMG_0201c.JPG


Fly agaric mushroom often found in birch woods and said to be hallucinogenic
IMG_0202c.JPG


Monadhliadh hills ahead
IMG_0203.JPG


Dog checking out the only waterlogged part we found on the route
IMG_0206.JPG


I like this photo of Moira's
121180293_10158586739548788_2293379260826033553_o.jpg


Dark clouds gathering
IMG_0208c.JPG


But blue sky here
IMG_0209.JPG


River Tromie
IMG_0210c.JPG


Carved out rock from rush of many waters
IMG_0213c.JPG


IMG_0215.JPG


IMG_0219.JPG


IMG_0220c.JPG


IMG_0223c.JPG


IMG_0224.JPG


We didn't go to the bird hide at the Insh Marshes Nature Reserve as it looked like rain so we didn't want to delay.

Insh marshes from bird hide (on a previous visit)
DSC_0856-large.JPG


Ruthven barracks in a strange light
IMG_0226c.JPG


At this point the waterproofs went on as the dark sky opened and for the next half hour we walked in rain.

River Spey in the rain
IMG_0227.JPG


When we reached Kingussie we thought about turning right to find shelter from the rain along with a coffee but decided to keep going and get the job done. Half way between Kingussie and Newtonmore we met a straggling crocodile of secondary school kids who were very taken with the dog. They said due to covid rules they couldn't do PE so went out for walks instead and sure enough two masked adults appeared, PE staff escorting their class on what Moira and I as ex teachers thought was a fairly soft option, compared to some of the complications the pandemic has thrown at education in 2020!

Autumn colours on Newtonmore main street
IMG_0229c.JPG


We headed straight for the Wild Flour cafe to celebrate our completion of the Speyside Way.

Camera lens fogged up in warmth of cafe... and we shared that piece of cake
IMG_0230c.JPG


We may come back to the Tomintoul loop another time but as far as following the Spey River from the sea to as far inland as the Way currently goes, we have done it!

A week later four of my grandsons and their parents spent a fabulous day canoeing on the Spey near Kincraig. So as a tribute to this beautiful river I'll finish on that day.

WhatsApp Image 2020-10-16 at 3.50.10 PM (2).jpeg


WhatsApp Image 2020-10-16 at 3.50.31 PM.jpeg


WhatsApp Image 2020-10-16 at 12.49.34 PM (2).jpeg
Last edited by dogplodder on Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4238
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby Anne C » Fri Nov 13, 2020 10:55 am

What a lovely read! Beautiful photos of the Uath Lochans in particular.Will need to try that cafe next time I'm in Newtonmore..looks good. :)
User avatar
Anne C
Walker
 
Posts: 457
Munros:142   Corbetts:30
Fionas:34   Donalds:29
Sub 2000:48   Hewitts:1
Wainwrights:1   Islands:57
Joined: May 14, 2010

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby shredder » Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:34 pm

Well done on the Speyside Way!

What's next? 8)
shredder
Walker
 
Posts: 82
Munros:7   Corbetts:1
Sub 2000:1   
Islands:22
Joined: Feb 13, 2012

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby gld73 » Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:49 am

I did the Newtonmore-Kincraig section a few weeks ago and still haven't written a report for it. Probably won't now, your photos are much better :lol:

Like you, I seem to be doing the Speyside Way in a series of day walks rather than one trip, though I've just done Newtonmore - Kincraig - Aviemore - Boat of Garten so far, all on days when the weather suited a low level walk better than a mountain one. I probably need to get a bit more organised about looking at public transport options for some of the remaining sections though; all 3 sections I've done so far I've walked as a return trip, just because I had to get back to my car..
User avatar
gld73
 
Posts: 899
Munros:178   Corbetts:76
Fionas:69   Donalds:12
Sub 2000:94   Hewitts:60
Wainwrights:107   Islands:13
Joined: Aug 11, 2015
Location: Inverness

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby dogplodder » Wed Nov 18, 2020 12:16 pm

Anne C wrote:What a lovely read! Beautiful photos of the Uath Lochans in particular.Will need to try that cafe next time I'm in Newtonmore..looks good. :)


Thanks Anne. The Wild Flour is worth a visit! 8)
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4238
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby dogplodder » Thu Nov 19, 2020 1:49 pm

shredder wrote:Well done on the Speyside Way!

What's next? 8)


One more section to do of the Dava Way.... not sure what to do after that.

Any ideas anyone? :)
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4238
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby gld73 » Thu Nov 19, 2020 3:25 pm

Moray Coastal Trail?
User avatar
gld73
 
Posts: 899
Munros:178   Corbetts:76
Fionas:69   Donalds:12
Sub 2000:94   Hewitts:60
Wainwrights:107   Islands:13
Joined: Aug 11, 2015
Location: Inverness

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby dogplodder » Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:20 pm

gld73 wrote:I did the Newtonmore-Kincraig section a few weeks ago and still haven't written a report for it. Probably won't now, your photos are much better :lol:

Like you, I seem to be doing the Speyside Way in a series of day walks rather than one trip, though I've just done Newtonmore - Kincraig - Aviemore - Boat of Garten so far, all on days when the weather suited a low level walk better than a mountain one. I probably need to get a bit more organised about looking at public transport options for some of the remaining sections though; all 3 sections I've done so far I've walked as a return trip, just because I had to get back to my car..


Oh no, do post them. I love seeing pics of walks I've done. 8)

In precovid times we used buses to drop us at one end so we could walk back. Being of a certain vintage we used our bus passes for free travel and one time when M forgot to bring hers the driver still didn't make her pay! It's not so easy if avoiding unnecessary journeys by public transport - so now we take two cars to leave one at either end.
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4238
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Last part of Speyside Way, wrapped up with cake at both

Postby dogplodder » Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:17 pm

gld73 wrote:Moray Coastal Trail?


Excellent suggestion. We did the first part before lockdown so need to get back to it. Only problem I can foresee is the wooden footbridge at Lossiemouth is closed and I don't see an alternative route apart from an out and back from Garmouth. :think:
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4238
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Last part of Speyside Way wrapped up with cake at both e

Postby Rivermary » Thu Apr 20, 2023 3:27 pm

I really enjoyed both your words and photos. Fun to know you are former teachers. And yes an outdoor walk seems like a great substitute for PE in Covid times. I am so glad the lockdown is over and I feel comfortable using public trans, staying in hostels, etc.
Rivermary
Walker
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Apr 18, 2023

8 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: dave munn, m1rossi, pickles, Travellingman and 61 guests