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Day 4 (of 5) of my 2013 Scotland Trip - Blair Atholl to Aviemore.
I woke to another brilliantly clear sky, high in the Monadhlaith, after my walk from
Newtonmore over two Munros the day before, which can be found here.
The day started with the sun hitting the tent at 6.30am as it rose over the brow of Carn an Fhreiceadain to the east of my pitch and the first target for the day. My original plan had been to continue along the national park boundary after Carn an Fhreiceadain and the bump of Beinn Bhreac until I reached Cnoc an Tiumpain some 5k further on and then drop down into Kincraig but the slow pace of the day before coupled with the unexpected heat of blazing sun for the last few days made me opt for the descent into Kingussie.
After a quick pack-up I left the burn and climbed up the slope to the well made estate road. Although it gave me a V shaped detour of roughly 2k it was a steady climb up to the summit of Carn an Fhreiceadain.
Up high 8.30am, where I was, it was a brilliant start to the day.
- Early morning in the Monadhlaith
Strathspey still was in mist but this burnt off very quickly as the day warmed up.
- Mist over Strathspey
By 9am I was at the summit of Carn an Fhreiceadain and then it was a steady descent to Kingussie arriving at roughly 12.30am
- Summit of Carn an Fhreiceadain
At Kingussie I caught the bus to Kincraig, again to miss out what would have been very tedious walking along the side of the road. Later on I was to read that they are planning to extend the Speyside way to Newtonmore and if it is a decent path like the section of the Badenoch Way from Kincraig to Dalraddy (see below) this would make for a great addition to the route. Unfortunately it often turns out to be a lot of walking along roads, like the section of the Badenoch Way from Kingussie to Kincraig.
Having got to Kincraig I was able to follow the Badenoch Way which apart from being a lovely low level path is a great example of what can be done by landowners and the community working to produce a positive addition to the countryside. None of the "Visitors not welcome" signs that I was to find the next day...
A wooded walk with great views of the Spey and the surrounding land led me directly to the Dalraddy campsite.
- River Spey from Speybank
- River Spey
Arriving at 3pm I was able to make excellent use of the Dalraddy campsite facilities and spent a very pleasant and peaceful night.
- Dalraddy campsite
Day 5 and the final day of my trip involving the walk to
Aviemore and Craigellachie can be found here.
Regards,
P.
